HONEY SRIRACHA CHICKEN

HONEY SRIRACHA CHICKEN
avocado oil
2 skin on Chicken legs with thigh meat attached or 6 thighs
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 ounce sriracha sauce
2 tablespoons QUALITY honey
2 green onions, sliced thin – whites and greens separate
2 tablespoons Braggs Liquid aminos
1 tablespoon sesame oil
Prepared rice

  • Preheat oven to 425°.
  • Cover a baking sheet in foil and set aside.
  • Heat heavy cast iron pan over medium high heat.
  • Drizzle avocado oil in pan and spread to coat.
  • Generously season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  • Add chicken to pan, skin side down. Cook 7-8 minutes until skin is crisp and golden.
  • Turn chicken and cook another 4-5 minutes.
  • Place chicken on baking sheet skin side up.
  • Roast chicken for 15 minutes.
  • Add onion whites and sauté 30 seconds.
  • Stir in liquid aminos, honey and sriracha to taste.
  • Stir collecting any browned bits from the bottom. Let bubble 2-3 minutes until thick and sticky.
  • Remove from heat and stir in sesame oil.
  • Remove chicken from oven.
  • Brush sauce over chicken pieces.
  • Return to oven and roast another 10 minutes until cooked through.
  • Remove from oven and brush with glaze again.
  • Plate chicken over prepared rice.
  • Drizzle with remaining sauce and serve immediately.

FIG GLAZED CHICKEN & WHITE BEANS

FIG GLAZED CHICKEN & WHITE BEANS
avocado oil
6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
2 large shallots, halved and sliced
1 can small northern white beans or cannelloni beans, rinsed and drained
3/4 cup fig preserves
1/3 cup chicken broth
Juice of 1 lemon
2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
2 tablespoons FRESH chopped thyme
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • In a mixing bowl whisk together the fig preserves, chicken broth, lemon juice, champagne vinegar, thyme,
  • Worcestershire sauce, salt and pepper.
  • In a large cast iron skillet add the oil to the hot pan and brown chicken pieces in batches, starting with skin side down.
  • Remove chicken from pan and add shallots, sautéing until golden.
  • Add fig preserve mixture and bring to a SLOW boil. Be sure to loosen any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.
  • Add the chicken pieces back in. Reduce heat and simmer covered 5 minutes.
  • Add the beans and return to a SLOW boil.
  • Cook uncovered 10-15 minutes until chicken is cooked through.

SWEET & SOUR CHICKEN DIP

This recipe is perfect for a potluck, tail gate party, holiday get together or Sunday dinner and it has nice refreshing change of taste.

SWEET & SOUR CHICKEN DIP
2 tablespoons Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
1 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil
2-3 cloves garlic, finely minced
1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders
24 ounces cream cheese, softened
10 ounce jar sweet and sour sauce
2 cups FRESH baby spinach
2 bunches thinly slice green onions
1/2 cup chopped salted peanuts
Sesame Rice Crackers

  • Generously season chicken tenders with salt and pepper.
  • Sear chicken tenders until golden and cooked through. Set aside to rest.
  • Whisk together the liquid aminos, sesame oil and garlic.
  • Shred chicken pieces.
  • Toss with sesame oil mixture and refrigerate for AT LEAST an hour.

ASSEMBLY

  • Spread cream cheese onto serving platter.
  • Spread sweet and sour sauce over cream cheese.
  • Top with spinach pieces.
  • Top with chicken mixture.
  • Sprinkle with green onions and peanuts.
  • Serve with sesame rice crackers.

NOTE: For a more elegant serving:

  • Combine the cream cheese with the sweet and sour sauce into a spread.
  • Spread each cracker with a generous portion.
  • Top with spinach pieces.
  • Top with chicken mixture.
  • Top with green onions.
  • Arrange on platter.
  • ENJOY!

 

STUFFED CHICKEN ALFREDO SHELLS

STUFFED CHICKEN ALFREDO SHELLS
20 whole Jumbo Pasta Shells, Cooked And Drained
2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts or 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
FRESH ground salt And pepper, to taste
Avocado Oil
3/4 cups ricotta cheese (whole milk, NOT low-fat))
3/4 cups SMALL CURD cottage cheese (whole milk, NOT low-fat)
3/4+ 1/4 cups grated Mozzarella cheese
2+ 1/4 cups grated Parmesan cheese
2 whole LARGE eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 cup minced FRESH parsley
2 tablespoons minced FRESH basil
4 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups whole milk
1 cup heavy cream
4 cloves garlic, minced

  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Season the chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper.
  • Heat a grill pan or iron skillet over medium heat, drizzle with avocado oil.
  • Cook the chicken on both sides until cooked through.
  • Remove and shred with two forks and allow to cool.
  • In a medium bowl, combine ricotta, cottage cheese, mozzarella, 1 cup of the Parmesan cheese, eggs, 2 tablespoons of the fresh parsley, salt, pepper, and chicken, stirring to combine. Add heavy cream as necessary 1 tablespoon at a time. Set aside.
  • In a large skillet over medium heat, melt butter and sprinkle with the flour. Whisk and cook until the roux turns golden brown.
  • Pour in the milk and cream, whisking constantly, and cooking for a few minutes, until thickened.
  • Add the garlic, the additional 1 cup Parmesan, salt, pepper, 1 tablespoon minced parsley, and minced basil and stirring until well blended.
  • Taste and adjust seasonings as needed. Set aside.
  • Add 1 cup sauce to the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.
  • Using a spoon, fill each of the jumbo shells generously with the chicken/ricotta mixture.
  • Lay them face down in the pan, then pour the sauce all over the top.
  • Sprinkle with 1/4 cup mozzarella and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheeses.
  • Bake for 25 minutes, or until bubbly and the cheese is golden.

CHEESY CHICKEN PANCAKES

CHEESY CHICKEN PANCAKES makes 16-18
PANCAKES

1 1/2 pounds breast tenders, diced small
2 large eggs
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup all-purpose flour, cornstarch or potato starch
1 1/3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
1 1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh dill or thyme (your flavor choice)
1/2 teaspoon FRESH ground sea salt, to taste
1/8 teaspoon FRESH black pepper
2 tablespoons Avocado oil

  • Whisk together the eggs, mayonnaise, salt, pepper and dill.
  • Add flour, stirring until smooth.
  • Fold in cheese and then chicken pieces, stirring until well blended.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight is better.
  • Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat with avocado oil.
  • When oil is hot, add the chicken mixture a heaping Tablespoon at a time. Slightly flatten out the tops and sauté uncovered 3-4 minutes on the first side, then flip and saute 3 more minutes on the flip side or until golden brown and chicken is fully cooked through.  Repeat with remaining fritters adding more oil as needed. DO NOT CROWD THE PAN.

DIP
1/3 cup mayonnaise
1 large garlic clove, minced
1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon FRESH ground salt
1/8 teaspoon FRESH black pepper

  • Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, stirring together until smooth.

NOTES:

  • To test for doneness, cut a pancake in half and the chicken should be completely white inside.
  • Partially frozen chicken breasts are easier to dice.
  • Sometimes I cook the tenders in advance and shred them so the pancakes take less time to actually cook.
  • Changing the cheese flavor makes a nice change.  Using pepper jack for the cheese and a splash of Frank’s hot sauce in the dip spices it up a bit.

MOJO (CUBAN) CHICKEN TOSTADAS

MOJO (CUBAN) CHICKEN TOSTADAS

4 boneless, skinless chicken thighs
2 tablespoons avocado oil
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper
1 can black beans
1 romaine heart, washed and shredded
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped fine
1 large orange, juiced
2 limes, juiced
1 small red onion
1 avocado, sliced thin and seasoned
1 clove garlic, minced
2 + 2 tablespoons champagne vinegar
1 teaspoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon oregano
corn tortillas, fried crisp

  • Drain and rinse black beans well.
  • Halve the onion and slice one half of it into thin rings. Dice the other half. Keep separate.
  • Mix together the cumin, paprika and oregano. Divide in half.

 

  • In a small bowl add the onion ring slices.
  • Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the vinegar, sprinkle with salt, toss together and let sit for 10 minutes.
  • In another small bowl mix half the seasoning mixture with the other 2 tablespoons of vinegar, the orange juice and half the lime juice.

 

  • Generously season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  • In a large skillet heat avocado oil until shimmering over medium high heat.
  • Add chicken breasts and sear on both sides until cooked through.
  • Remove chicken to plate and rest.

 

  • Add diced onion pieces and half the garlic to the skillet, sautéing until fragrant.
  • Add black beans, remaining garlic and one half of the spice mixture. Cook 3-5 minutes until soft and heated through.
  • Add half of lime juice and season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove pan from heat and set aside.

 

  • Shred chicken and place in a mixing bowl with half the orange juice mixture.
  • Pour the other half of the juice mixture over the shredded lettuce and top with the cilantro. Toss to coat.

 

  • Place a tortilla on a plate.
  • Top with a bit of the pickled onions followed by a handful of the lettuce mixture.
  • Add a spoonful of the beans followed by a spoonful of the shredded chicken and top with avocado slices.
  • ENJOY

PINEAPPLE PEPPER LIME CHICKEN

PINEAPPLE PEPPER LIME CHICKEN
3 pounds chicken thighs and drumsticks (or any combo you like)
2 limes, juiced (about 1/4 cup)
3/4 cup pineapple pepper preserves
FRESH ground sea salt and black pepper, to taste

  • In a small saucepan combine preserves and lime juice and heat until melted and well blended.
  • Sprinkle chicken pieces with FRESH ground salt and pepper.
  • Heat grill to medium.
  • GENEROUSLY spray grill grates with non-stick spray.
  • Grill chicken 15-20 minutes or about 175° internal temperatures. Turn Occasionally and baste generously during the last 5 minutes with the sauce.
  • Serve with remaining sauce.

BALSAMIC BROCCOLI, BRUSSELS SPROUTS and CHICKEN SAUTE’

We recently took a walking tour of food in Carmel with several family members thanks to my wonderful nephew and his wife.  Staci, the owner, was super personable guide with a GREAT sense of humor. We had a FANTASTIC time and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Staci went above and beyond with her knowledge of the Carmel area and the businesses she was introducing us to. The businesses and foods were well balanced to accommodate your palette and your walking pace. We highly recommend this tour on your next visit to the Carmel area.

One of the stops was to an olive oil company, Trio Carmel. One of the other stops was to a Carmel Honey Company that was begun by an enterprising young bee keeper for a 5th grade project that became a family business. Personally I can’t stand olive oil, but they had some wonderful flavored vinegars that I purchased (Peach and Cranberry Pear). Add in some of the wonderful honey and from there this recipe was born.

This is the perfect recipe for a summer’s evening. There are tons of fresh vegetables sautéed with flavorful balsamic vinegar and topped with roasted cashews, golden raisins and shaved Parmesan cheese. Plus one pan and NO oven! If it’s winter time and you WANT to use your oven, roast the veggies instead before tossing all together.

The beauty of this recipe is that with all the choices of flavored vinegars these days you can easily change up your flavor palette with this versatile recipe! I had some gorgeous fresh peaches that I tossed in also.

BALSAMIC BROCCOLI, BRUSSELS SPROUTS and CHICKEN SAUTE’ serves 4
Author – Tamy

3/4 pound Brussels sprouts, cleaned and halved
2 broccoli crowns, cleaned and chopped
1 cup rotisserie chicken pieces
2 tablespoons Avocado oil
1 tablespoon butter
FRESH ground sea salt
FRESH ground black pepper
2-3 tablespoons Peach balsamic vinegar or  Cranberry Pear balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon Bragg’s liquid aminos
1-2 tablespoon Meadowfoam honey
1/3 cup roasted cashews
1/3 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

  • Heat LARGE skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add Avocado oil and butter.
  • When melted, add Brussels sprouts and broccoli, sautéing 2-3 minutes. We like our Brussels sprouts a bit crispy so I usually add them first and get a crispy edge before I add the broccoli.
  • Add 2 tablespoons water. Cover and cook for a minutes or two.
  • Add Balsamic vinegar and liquid aminos and saute’ a minute or two more.
  • Add honey and stir to coat.
  • Add chicken pieces, raisins and cashews and saute’ a couple minutes more until heated through.
  • Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Drizzle with a touch more honey and Parmesan cheese before you serve.
  • ENJOY!

CHICKEN in BACON RANCH GRAVY ala SLOW COOKER

This is a wonderful fall or winter recipe!

SLOW COOKER CHICKEN with BACON GRAVY serves 4
adapted from Sarah Olson

1.5 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts
FRESH ground pepper, to taste
4 sprigs FRESH thyme
2 bunches green onions, sliced thin
2-4 cloves garlic, minced
6-8 slices bacon, diced and cooked crisp
1 Pioneer country gravy packet dry mix DO NOT PREPARE PER PACKAGE
1 Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing packet dry mix DO NOT PREPARE PER PACKAGE
2 1/4 cups water
1 cup heavy cream

  • Spray slow cooker with non-stick spray.
  • Add the chicken to the slow cooker.
  • Generously salt and pepper the chicken breasts.
  • Add the garlic, green onions and bacon.
  • Lay thyme sprigs on top.
  • Whisk together the gravy mix and ranch dressing packets water until smooth.
  • Pour the gravy mixture over the chicken.
  • Cover and cook on HIGH for 3 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
  • Remove the chicken and shred with 2 forks.
  • Stir heavy cream into gravy mixture until well blended.
  • Return chicken to gravy mixture and stir to coat well.
  • Serve over mashed potatoes.

 

CHEESY ARTICHOKE CHICKEN

CHEESY ARTICHOKE CHICKEN serves 2

2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts, pounded thin (1/8 inch)
6 ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained WELL and chopped small
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
1 clove garlic, minced
2 green onions, sliced thin
4 thin slices Provolone cheese
2 tablespoons avocado oil
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste

  • Preheat oven to 350°.
  • In a small bowl combine artichoke heart pieces, parsley, garlic and green onions.
  • Generously season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  • Top each chicken breast with 2 cheese slices.
  • Top cheese with artichoke mixture and spread evenly.
  • Roll up chicken and secure with toothpicks.
  • In an ovenproof skillet heat avocado oil and turning frequently sear chicken bundles until golden.
  • Place skillet in preheated oven until cooked through, about 15 minutes.
  • Let stand 5 minutes.
  • Slice into roulades and serve with pasta or mashed potatoes.

 

LEMON FIZZ CHICKEN

LEMON FIZZ CHICKEN serves 2
1/3 cup cooked white rice
Juice of 1 lemon
1 teaspoon creamy horseradish
1 tablespoon FRESH chopped chives
1 tablespoon QUALITY honey
3 tablespoons avocado oil, divided 2+1
2 skinless boneless chicken breasts
FRESH ground salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons WONDRA flour
1/4 cup 7 UP
1 tablespoon Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 1/2 + 1 1/2
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes (more if you like it a bit more spicy)
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
2 + 2 tablespoons heavy cream

  • Whisk together lemon juice, honey, horseradish and chives until completely blended.
  • Generously salt and pepper both sides of chicken.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon of butter in skillet over medium high heat.
  • Dredge chicken in flour.
  • Saute’ chicken breasts until JUST golden on both sides, about 2 minutes per side based on thickness.
  • Transfer chicken to plate.
  • Deglaze pan with 7 UP, scraping up any bits from the bottom of the skillet.
  • Reduce heat.
  • Add 1 1/2 tablespoons butter, liquid aminos and red pepper flakes, whisking to blend.
  • Add honey mixture, blending again until smooth.
  • Add 2 tablespoons heavy cream, stirring until smooth.
  • Return chicken to pan, turning to coat. Cover and simmer on low until syrupy, about 5 minutes.
  • Add Parmesan cheese, cream and 1 1/2 tablespoons butter to warm rice, using fork to mix and fluff.
  • Plate rice, top with chicken and pour sauce over top.

 

TAHITIAN CHICKEN

TAHITIAN CHICKEN

1 pound chicken tenders
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup WONDRA flour
3/4 teaspoon season salt
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 cup peach preserves
1/4 cup Country Bob’s All Purpose Sauce (A1 works to)
2 tablespoons Bragg’s amino acids
1 small onion, cut in half moon rings
1 red pepper, cut into strips
2-8 ounce cans water chestnuts
Prepared rice

  • Whisk together the Wondra flour and season salt.
  • Melt butter in large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Dredge chicken tenders in flour mixture.
  • Brown chicken pieces in butter 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper toweling.

 

  • In a small bowl whisk together the peach preserves, all purpose sauce and amino acids.
  • Add onion pieces and red pepper, tossing to coat.
  • Return chicken pieces to skillet.
  • Spoon sauce over top of chicken.
  • Cook covered over low heat for 15 minutes.
  • Add water chestnuts and cook 10 minutes more.
  • Serve over hot rice.