Category: POULTRY

CHICKEN RAMEN in SHOYU BROTH

CHICKEN RAMEN IN SHOYU BROTH with MUSHROOMS, CHILI GARLIC OIL & CRISPY ONIONS adapted from a Hello Fresh recipe

2 cloves garlic, minced
1 thumb ginger, peeled and minced
1 tablespoon sesame seeds
1 teaspoon red chili flakes
2 tablespoon Bragg’s liquid aminos
5 ounces FRESH Spinach (optional)
3 LARGE green onions, sliced thin, whites and greens separated
2 carrots, peeled and sliced thin
1 tablespoon chopped lemon thyme leaves
8 ounces BEECH mushrooms
1 tablespoon sesame oil
6 ounces ramen noodles
4 cups homemade chicken stock
2 LARGE chicken breasts
Crispy fried onions
2 tablespoons avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce. Peel and mince garlic.
  • In a small microwave-safe bowl, combine sesame seeds, half the garlic, half the sesame oil (you’ll use the rest later), a drizzle of avocado oil, a big pinch of salt, and chili flakes to taste. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Microwave until fragrant, 30 seconds. Set aside.
  • Once water is boiling, add noodles to pot. Cook, stirring until JUST tender, 1-2 minutes. Drain, then toss noodles with a drizzle of sesame oil.
  • Heat a drizzle of oil over medium-high heat.
  • Add scallion whites, ginger, and remaining garlic. Cook, stirring, 30 seconds.
  • Stir in chicken broth and soy sauce. Bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer until ready to serve.
  • While broth simmers, pat chicken dry with paper towels; season with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a large drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, 3-5 minutes per side.
  • Drizzle with remaining sesame oil and turn chicken a few times to coat.
  • Transfer chicken to a cutting board to rest.
  • Add mushrooms and a pinch of salt to pan used for chicken over medium-high heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and softened, 3-5 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
  • Add a drizzle of oil to pan, then add spinach if using. Cook, stirring occasionally, until wilted, 2-3 minutes; season with salt. Turn off heat.
  • Slice chicken crosswise.
  • Divide noodles between large soup bowls. Pour some broth over noodles.
  • Stir in as much chili garlic oil as you like.
  • Top each bowl with chicken, mushrooms, spinach, and scallion greens.
  • Sprinkle with a few crispy onions and serve.

CALABRIAN CHILE CHICKEN PASTA

CALABRIAN CHILE CHICKEN PASTA adapted from Blue Apron

Avocado oil
2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
1 shallot, small diced
2 tablespoons Mascarpone cheese
1/2 pound Bucatini Pasta, prepared per package directions reserving 1 cup pasta water
1 ounce Castelvetrano Olives, diced (optional-hubby loves, I don’t)
1 lemon, juiced
1 1/2 teaspoons Calabrian Chile paste
1 zucchini, halved and sliced (optional-hubby hates)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 tablespoon Italian seasoning
3 tablespoons WONDRA flour
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper

  • Heat avocado oil in a large nonstick pan over medium high heat.
  • Add the sliced zucchini (if using) in an even layer. Cook, without stirring, 1 to 2 minutes, or until lightly browned. Season with salt and pepper. Cook 1-2 minutes more, stirring frequently until softened. Transfer to a plate.
  • Wipe out the pan and add 1-2 tablespoons more avocado oil and heat over medium high heat.
  • Pat the chicken dry.
  • In a large ziplock bag add wonder flour, Italian seasoning and FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper. Shake to mix.
  • Add chicken breasts and shake to coat. Shake off excess dredging.
  • Add the seasoned chicken to the hot oil, cooking 4-5 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through.
  • Leave any browned bits in the pan, transfer chicken to a cutting board.
  • When cool enough to handle, slice crosswise.
  • In the same pan, heat a drizzle of avocado oil on medium-high until hot.
  • Add the chopped shallot, chopped garlic, and as much of the chile paste as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until lightly browned.
  • Add the cooked pasta, lemon juice, Mascarpone cheese, browned zucchini (if using), chopped olives, and half the reserved pasta cooking water. Cook, stirring constantly, 1 to 2 minutes, or until the pasta is well coated. If necessary, gradually add the remaining cooking water to ensure the pasta is thoroughly coated.
  • Turn off the heat.
  • Serve the finished pasta topped with the sliced chicken.
  • Garnish with the Parmesan cheese.
  • Enjoy!

NOTE: To make your own Italian seasoning use +/- equal parts of these dried seasonings, to taste: Basil, Sage, Oregano, Savory, Rosemary, Thyme & Marjoram.

 

KARAAGE AMAZU? AMASU? Chicken I’ll just call it TANGY YUMMY Fried Chicken

I have a small piece of a note that says AMASU Chicken on it from an old folded recipe in an antique box I found in an antique store. I have no idea when or even when I found it. I started researching it and came up with a few recipes that sounded interesting, but none of them sounded interesting enough by themself to be worth trying in my book. So, I piece mealed the bits and pieces of all of them into a recipe we like.

Karaage is basically a Japanese term/technique for deep frying in oil. It is most often used for chicken. The meat is usually coated in a corn or potato starch dredge before frying.

Amasu – means “leave over” in Japanese
Amaza – means “ no one knows everything” in Zulu

Karaage Amazu? Amasu? Chicken I’ll just call it TANGY YUMMY Fried Chicken Serves: 4-6 people
3 pounds chicken thighs (cut into bite size) OR chicken wings
1 cup cornstarch
Vegetable oil for deep-frying
1/2 cup Mirin
1/2 cup rice wine vinegar (unseasoned)
1/4 cup Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
1/2 cup water
1 small can crushed pineapple (DO NOT DRAIN)
1/4 cup ketchup (Jalapeno ketchup adds a bit of a kick!)
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons lemon juice (1 LARGE lemon)
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon FRESH, FINELY chopped cilantro coriander
1 teaspoon red chili flakes (or more if you like more heat)
Chopped green onions for garnish

  • Marinate the chicken pieces with liquid aminos and set aside.
  • Combine mirin, rice wine vinegar, water, pineapple, salt and sugar in a pot and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat to medium and cook until the liquid thickens.
  • Completely cool the mixture.
  • Whisk in lemon juice, cilantro and red chili flakes, to taste.
  • In a large ziploc bag coat chicken in cornstarch, shaking to coat well. Tap off excess cornstarch before frying.
  • Heat oil to 350° and fry until crispy and cooked through.
  • Add chicken to large bowl.
  • Pour sauce over and toss to coat.
  • Plate, garnish and serve hot.

ZESTY CREAMED CHICKEN

There is almost no prep time for this recipe, it is so so versatile and the slow cooker actually does all the work! The whole family will be licking their plates when this creamy angel chicken recipe is on the menu. Serve it over a bed of angel hair pasta, mashed potatoes, biscuits, or rice. It’s one of our favorite weeknight recipes.

ZESTY CREAMED CHICKEN

1.5 pounds chicken breast, boneless and skinless
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1 can cream of chicken soup** (see notes)
¾ cup chicken stock
¼ cup Philadelphia cream cheese
¼ cup butter
1 packet Good Seasons Italian dressing mix
Prepared pasta, jasmine rice or mashed potatoes for serving
chopped herbs, for garnish

  • Spray the inside of the crockpot with non stick cooking spray.
  • Add the chicken breasts in a single layer if possible.
  • Soften the butter and cream cheese in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until melted enough to stir together smoothly.
  • Whisk in the undiluted cream of chicken soup, Italian dressing mix, minced garlic and chicken stock until well mixed.
  • Pour over the chicken breasts.
  • Turn chicken breast to coat in sauce.
  • Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
  • Shred chicken into sauce using 2 forks.
  • Serve the chicken over pasta, jasmine rice or mashed potatoes

NOTES**

  • Cream of just about any flavor (celery, nacho cheese, mushroom, etc…) works with this recipe.
  • You can substitute white wine for the chicken broth.
  • You can also substitute a flavored cream cheese.

CHIPOTLE CHICKEN

CHIPOTLE CHICKEN

2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
1 + 1 tablespoons butter
1 Poblano pepper. stemmed, seeds removed and sliced
1 small yellow onion, sliced thin
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
¼ cup Cornstarch
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 +/- teaspoons Chipotle chile paste
¼ cup FRESH cilantro FINELY chopped
1 tablespoon QUALITY honey
Prepared white rice, mashed potatoes or pasta
2 tablespoons grated Cotija cheese

  • In a large bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, honey, 1 teaspoon of warm water, and as much of the chile paste as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be – set aside until needed.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon butter in non stick skillet.
  • Add onions and peppers, sautéing 3-5 minutes until soft and beginning to caramelize.
  • Season chicken pieces with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Coat chicken pieces with cornstarch, shaking off excess.
  • Add remaining 1 tablespoon butter to skillet.
  • When butter is melted add chicken pieces in a single layer cooking 3-4 minutes or until lightly browned on all sides.
  • Pour reserved sauce over chicken, stirring to coat well.
  • Garnish with Cotija cheese and cilantro. Cilantro is also good added to rice, pasta or potatoes.

TEX MEX CHICKEN POT PIES for 2

TEX MEX CHICKEN POT PIES yields 2-3 individual pot pies

ACTIVE PREP TIME 1 hourish
CHILL TIME 20-30 minutes
TOTAL TIME 2 hourish

2 tablespoons salted butter
1 tablespoon Frank’s original Red Hot Sauce
1 can ROTEL original tomatoes, drained WELL
1 can white shoe peg corn, drained WELL
3 large green onions, diced 
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
3 tablespoons WONDRA flour, plus more for dusting 
1 cup homemade chicken broth 
1/2 cup heavy cream 
1/8 cup chopped fresh cilantro 
1 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1/2 batch of your favorite pie crust – one recipe follows
All purpose flour, for dusting
1 LARGE egg, beaten 
1/4 cup grated cheese, Mexican blend or pepper jack cheese 

  • Preheat the oven to 400°.
  • Lightly spray 2-3 individual cast iron or heavy ceramic baking dishes. I also often use my pampered chef 1 1/2 quart cast iron baker to make a single pot pie for 2.
  • Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add onions, corn and tomatoes.
  • Season with a pinch of FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, cooking 2-3 minutes to soften the vegetables.
  • Sprinkle the flour over the vegetables and stir 1-2 minutes until the flour has coated the vegetables.
  • Add chicken broth, stirring constantly.
  • Stir in the cream, cilantro and hot sauce.
  • Allow sauce to come to the boil and thicken 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and adjust seasoning to taste.
  • Add the chicken and stir to combine.
  • Add half the cheese stirring to combine.
  • Portion into baking dishes.
  • Roll out the Pie Crust on a lightly-floured surface.
  • Carefully lay the crusts over each baking dish, pressing gently into the sides to seal.
  • Brush the top with the beaten egg and sprinkle with remaining cheese.
  • Cut 2 to 3 small slits in the top and bake until the crust is golden, about 30 minutes.
  • Cool slightly 10 minutes before serving.

PERFECT PIE CRUST – makes one full batch of dough, but you’ll only need a third to one half of it for this recipe.
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt 
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) salted butter, cut into small pieces 
3/4 cup vegetable shortening, cut into small pieces 
1 LARGE egg 
1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar 
5 tablespoons COLD Vodka or cold water, or more as needed 

  • Combine the flour, salt, butter and shortening in a large bowl.
  • Using a pastry cutter, gradually work it all together until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  • Beat the egg with a fork and add it to the mixture along with the vinegar.
  • Add the cold water.
  • Stir it all together until it comes together, adding another tablespoon or two of water if it needs the moisture.
  • Form the mixture into 2 balls and wrap them in individual plastic bags.

NOTE:

  • I use vodka because it tends to make a flakier crust as it evaporates during the baking process.
  • If using immediately, chill for 20 minutes in the refrigerator before rolling out. If freezing, remove them from the freezer 30 minutes before you are ready to use them.

YUCATAN CITRUS CHICKEN

This was originally a recipe from Hello Fresh that I have adjusted and adapted to our liking.

In my opinion tangy citrus is probably the most key ingredient in the Yucatan’s vibrant cuisine. Lemon and orange juices are often used to marinate pork, chicken and even beef as well as also used as pickling liquid for a tangy onion garnishes. When paired with zesty spices it adds a savory note to the tang as it tenderizes the meat and creates mouth watering results.

SAUCE
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon Ancho Chili Powder
1 teaspoon Smoked Paprika

  • In a small bowl whisk together the sour cream, paprika, chili powder and a pinch of salt.
  • Add water 1 teaspoon at a time until mixture reaches a drizzling consistency.
  • Set aside until needed.

QUICKLED ONIONS
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
¼ teaspoon sugar

  • In a small microwave safe bowl toss the onion slices, lemon juice, sugar and pinch of salt together.
  • Microwave 30 seconds to 1 minute until onions are softened.
  • Set aside until needed.
  • Drain before serving.

TEX MEX RICE
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
½ cup Jasmine Rice
1 cup water
LARGE pinch sea salt
1 tablespoon butter

  • In a small pan combine rice, water, spices, and a large pinch of salt.
  • Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 15-18 minutes until rice is tender.
  • Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.

YUCATAN CITRUS CHICKEN
1 LARGE lemon, zested and juiced
1 yellow onion, halved and sliced thin
1 Poblano pepper, halved, cored and thinly sliced into strips
¼ cup ROUGHLY chopped cilantro
3/4 pound chicken strips, cut into small pieces
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
3-4 tablespoons Tex-Mex Paste (2 “cubes” from recipe below)
1 tablespoon avocado oil

  • Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
  • In a small bowl whisk together Tex-Mex paste, mandarin juice, lemon juice, lemon zest, cumin, chili powder and garlic powder.
  • Toss chicken in bowl with mixture.
  • Chill for at least an hour, preferably overnight.
  • Heat a drizzle of avocado oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add poblano and season with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Cook, stirring, until slightly softened, 3-4 minutes.
  • Add another drizzle of oil and remaining onion; season with salt and pepper.
  • Cook, stirring, until veggies are tender, 4-6 minutes.
  • Transfer to a plate.
  • Heat a drizzle of oil in the same pan over medium-high heat.
  • Add chicken in a single layer and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly charred and cooked through, 4-6 minutes.
  • Taste and adjust seasoning with FRESH ground sea salt and pepper.
  • Stir in cooked veggies, then remove pan from heat.

ASSEMBLY

  • Fluff rice with a fork.
  • Stir in butter and season to taste with salt.
  • Divide rice between bowls and top with chicken and veggies, crema, and as much pickled onion as you like.
  • Sprinkle with cilantro.
  • Serve with lemon or lime slices.

TEX MEX PASTE
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon smoky paprika
4-5 teaspoons QUALITY cocoa
3 teaspoons sugar
3 teaspoons sea salt
3 teaspoons unseasoned rice wine vinegar
3 cloves garlic, mashed
2-3 ounces pureed Chipotle chilis
1 FULL bulb roasted garlic
3-4 teaspoons tomato paste
14 ounce can fire roasted tomatoes
1 white onion, FINELY diced

  • Puree diced onion and minced garlic in food processor.
  • Add chipotle chilis, roasted garlic and fire roasted tomatoes blending until smooth.
  • Add  vinegar and remaining ingredients blending until well mixed.
  • Portion into an ice cube tray or herb keeper for freezing to use at a later date.

CHICKEN & DUMPLING SOUP

LOL 😀 It must be a Midwestern thing 😀

This would have been Molly Yeh’s recipe with very few changes until I realized I was making my great grans chicken and noodles minus the pasta and thickener. The dumplings are Molly’s MIL’s recipe though.

CHICKEN & DUMPLING SOUP – the items highlighted in blue are used in the second step.

Level: Easy Total: 3 hr 5 min Active: 1 hr 10 min Yield: 4 to 6 servings

SOUP BASE
One 3 1/2-pound whole chicken
1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
2 bay leaves 
2 cloves garlic, MINCED
2 sprigs FRESH thyme 
3 large carrots, 1 cut into large chunks and 2 thinly sliced 
3 large celery stalks, 1 cut into large chunks and 2 thinly sliced 
2 medium yellow onions, 1 quartered and 1 chopped 
2 medium parsnips, 1 cut into large chunks and 1 thinly sliced 
6 sprigs fresh dill, 3 left whole and 3 chopped (I omitted this – I’m just NOT a dill fan)
2 BIG sprigs of sage
3 LARGE sprigs of Rosemary
6 sprigs FRESH flat-leaf parsley, 3 left whole and 3 chopped, plus more for serving 
1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
FRESH ground black pepper 

  • Combine the chicken, peppercorns, bay leaves, garlic, thyme, carrot chunks, celery chunks, quartered onion, parsnip chunks and 3 sprigs parsley in a large pot.
  • Cover with 5 quarts of cold water to cover by 2 inches and bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Simmer 1 1/2-2 hours, uncovered, until the chicken is very tender. The longer the better for the the flavor.
  • Add more water, as needed, skimming off scum and some fat, if desired.
  • Carefully strain the stock, discarding everything (veggies and herbs) except for the chicken. You should have 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 quarts of stock.
  • Set the chicken aside to cool briefly while you put together the rest of the soup.
  • Return the strained stock to the pot and bring it to a simmer.
  • Add the second step portions of sliced carrot, sliced celery, chopped onion, sliced parsnip, chopped parsley and the salt.
  • Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer.
  • Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.

DUMPLINGS (Molly’s MIL’s recipe)
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt 
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar 
A few fresh grinds whole nutmeg 
3 LARGE eggs 

  • In a small saucepan, bring the butter and 3/4 cup water to a boil.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the flour.
  • Let cool for a few minutes so it’s not so hot that it will cook the eggs, then whisk in the salt, sugar, nutmeg and the eggs, one at a time, until incorporated into a slightly lumpy thick batter. (It’ll take a little work to whisk in the eggs.)
  • Drop heaping teaspoons of the dumpling mixture into the simmering soup, then cover and cook until the vegetables are tender and the dumplings are cooked through; begin checking for doneness at 15 minutes.
  • Pull the chicken meat off the bones and chop into bite-sized pieces.
  • Season it with salt, then add it to the soup along with the ground black pepper.
  • Taste and add more salt as needed. TASTE AND REPEAT. ADJUST SEASONINGS UNTIL IT TASTES PERFECT TO YOU!
  • Serve, garnishing with fresh parsley.

TUSCAN STYLE HERB CHICKEN

TUSCAN STYLE HERB CHICKEN
1 cup chicken bone broth
1 tablespoon melted butter
2 LARGE russet or 6 Yukon gold potatoes, diced bite size
1 cup peeled and sliced carrots
3/4 cup frozen peas
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 can diced tomatoes with herbs, drained WELL
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 tablespoon Garden Gourmet Italian herbs

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Whisk Italian herbs and butter into the chicken broth.
  • Season to taste with FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper.
  • Arrange potatoes, carrots, peas and tomatoes into the bottom of a baking dish. I like to use my enameled cast iron for even baking.
  • Nestle chicken pieces into veggies.
  • Pour broth mixture over and around chicken and veggies stirring gently to coat well.
  • Bake 35-40 minutes until potatoes and carrots are tender and chicken is cooked through.

BALSAMIC PINEAPPLE CHICKEN with ROASTED POTATOES & BRUSSELS SPROUTS

It’s all about the sauce! Sauce is the BEST way to add extra flavor to ANY dish! I use pineapple jam, but have also used apricot pineapple, tart cherry, peach and even fig. When you add your favorite jam to a QUALITY balsamic vinegar and FRESH herbs the flavors mingle with the pan drippings and caramelized onions so that the flavors explode into the PERFECT sauce.

BALSAMIC PINEAPPLE CHICKEN with ROASTED POTATOES & BRUSSELS SPROUTS

12 ounces Yukon gold potatoes, diced into 1/2 inch pieces
1 Red Onion, halved – one half sliced thin, the other half diced
2 tablespoons FRESH thyme leaves
1 LARGE Lemon, juiced
2 boneless, skinless chicken steaks
4 tablespoons WONDRA flour
2 tablespoons QUALITY Balsamic Vinegar
3 tablespoons Pineapple jam
1/3-1/2 cup homemade chicken stock
2 cups halved and trimmed small BRUSSELS SPROUTS
1 + 1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 + 1 tablespoon butter
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • Preheat oven to 450°.
  • Toss potato pieces and Brussels sprouts
  • Dice potatoes into ½-inch pieces; toss on a baking sheet with a drizzle of oil, salt, and pepper.
  • Roast on top rack, tossing halfway through, until browned and tender, 20-25 minutes.
  • Pat chicken dry with paper towels.
  • Generously season all over with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Dredge in WONDRA and and shake off excess.
  • Melt 1 tablespoon of oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, 3-5 minutes per side.
  • Transfer to a cutting board and set aside to rest.
  • Add the remaining oil to the pan oil in pan.
  • Add the onion slices and thyme leaves, cooking 2-3 minutes until softened.
  • Whisk vinegar, lemon juice and jam together.
  • Add jam mixture to pan and simmer 2-3 minutes until syrupy.
  • Stir in stock and simmer 2-3 minutes until thick and glossy.
  • Remove pan from heat and stir in remaining butter until melted.
  • Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Thinly slice chicken crosswise if you’d like.
  • Divide chicken, potatoes, and green beans between plates.
  • Drizzle to your heart’s content over the chicken and or potatoes and Brussels sprouts. ENJOY every bite.
  • Serve with lemon wedges on the side if desired.

END OF WEEK CHICKEN

Recently Sandra over at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom mentioned she was cooking her Dad’s Favorite Chicken, a recipe handed down from her grandmother, great grandmother for dinner one night. You can find her recipe here. As I was reading her recipe I realized that everyone’s grandmother must have a similar recipe. My Gram’s recipe was used primarily at the end of the week to use up things from the veggie bin and such and she used dried herbs. I’ve freshened it up over the years with FRESH. Sandra’s recipe is made with Portuguese fries, but mine is made with either mashed potatoes, pasta or crusty fried potatoes.

END OF WEEK CHICKEN

2 LARGE skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into small bite size chunks
1/3 cup WONDRA flour , seasoned to taste
1 LARGE bunch green onions, THINLY sliced
1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
2 LARGE carrots, halved and sliced in half moons
1 tablespoon FRESH thyme leaves
1/4 cup chopped FRESH Italian leaf Parsley
1/2 teaspoon smokey paprika
FRESH ground sea salt and tri-color pepper, to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup homemade bone broth
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter

  • Melt avocado oil and butter in saute pan.
  • Add carrots and saute 2-3 minutes.
  • Add onions and tomatoes, cooking 2-3 minutes more until onion is translucent. 
  • Add seasoned WONDRA flour to a paper bag or large ziploc bag. Add chicken pieces shaking to coat. Shake off any excess flour.
  • Arrange veggies around the edges and add in chicken pieces, thyme, paprika, minced garlic, salt and pepper, searing chicken pieces for a few minutes. The dredged chicken pieces will help with your gravy as they cook.
  • Add in bone broth, reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through. Check frequently to make sure you still have cooking liquid – add broth as necessary to keep everything moist and have a good amount of gravy.
  • Serve over mashed potatoes, rice, noodles or fried potatoes.

Turkey Tetrazzini ~ Memories past

This recipe was originally posted in January of 2010. BUT, it needed a MAJOR picture overhaul!! I’ve also made a few updates over the years to make the recipe more “scratch made”.
When I was a kid and just starting to do the majority of the family cooking we had a set group of recipes that were the “weeknight” recipes. One of those recipes that was especially popular during the holidays was Turkey Tetrazzini. We also substituted ham and chicken for the turkey throughout the rest of the year.

Back then I prepared the recipes exactly as they were written and they were okay, but the Tetrazzini recipe used ALL Velveeta and canned mushrooms and stuff I wouldn’t think of putting into my body now so it was my goal to create the same recipe in a more health oriented way, but still easy for a weeknight meal.

TURKEY TETRAZZINI
2 tablespoons butter
1 LARGE bunch green onions OR 1 LARGE shallot, chopped
1 stalk celery, chopped small
8 ounces spaghetti or linguine, broken in half and cooked al dente
FRESH ground sea salt and pepper to taste
2 cups shredded turkey pieces**
1 can cream of celery soup (see soup substitutes)
1 cup WHOLE milk
1 cup grated mild cheddar cheese
1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • Melt butter in a skillet.
  • Saute onions and celery just until tender.
  • Add soup and milk, stirring to blend. Cook just until thick.
  • Add cheddar cheese.
  • Add salt and pepper.
  • In the bottom of an 11×7 baking dish scatter first the pasta and then the meat pieces.
  • Pour soup mixture over top.
  • Top with Monterey Jack cheese.
  • Bake 25-30 minutes.

NOTE: ** ham and rotisserie chicken work well too

Casseroles tend to call for a can of some form of “cream of” soup.  Since those soups tend to be full additives and preservatives I came up with some quick and easy substitutes that are homemade as you needed.

CREAM SOUP SUBSTITUTES

Do you hate buying canned soups for use in recipes? Do you want something healthier and less costly?  These recipes make perfect substitutes for 1 can of soup.

3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk or other liquid (as specified in variations)

  • Melt the butter in heavy saucepan. 
  • Blend in flour and salt. Cook until bubbly. 
  • Remove from heat and gradually stir or whisk in liquid. 
  • Return to heat and cook, constantly stirring until smooth and thickened.

VARIATIONS

  • Cream of chicken: Use 1/2 cup milk and 1/2 cup chicken broth as the liquid. Add 1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning or sage.
  • Cream of celery: Saute´ 1/2 cup chopped celery and 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion in the margarine before adding flour. Use milk for liquid.
  • Cream of mushroom: Saute´1/4 cup finely chopped mushrooms and 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion in margarine before adding flour. Use milk for liquid.
  • Tomato: Use tomato juice as liquid. Add a dash each of garlic salt, onion salt, basil, and oregano.
  • Cheddar cheese: Use milk for liquid. Stir into the finished sauce 1/2 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese and 1/4 teaspoon dry mustard.
  • Cream of shrimp: Drain the liquid from a small can of tiny shrimp into a measuring cup. Fill cup with milk to measure 1 cup of liquid. Add a dash of pepper, onion salt, curry powder, and paprika to the finished sauce, and stir in the shrimp.