Category: POULTRY

PAN SEARED CHICKEN with RUSTIC TOMATO SAUCE & GARLIC GREEN BEANS

This was originally a Blue Apron recipe that hubby and I also dissected and rebuilt to out liking.  I should have taken a picture of my plate with the sauce over the chicken and polenta, it looked so pretty.  Hubby likes his sauce on the side.

PAN SEARED CHICKEN with RUSTIC TOMATO SAUCE & GARLIC GREEN BEANS
Start the sauce first. While it’s cooking start the green beans. Then start the chicken.

SAUCE
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 pound cherry tomatoes, halved
1 garlic glove, minced
Juice of 1 lime
1 tomatillo, diced
2 tablespoons golden vinegar
Fresh ground salt and pepper to taste

  • Several hours before dinner toss the tomatoes, tomatillo and lime juice together. Let sit at room temperature.

 

  • Bring skillet to a medium high heat.
  • Add butter to melt.
  • When sizzling, add garlic and tomatoes simmering until soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Gently smash tomatoes.
  • Add vinegar, stirring to blend.
  • Season to taste.
  • Turn to low and cover.

VEGGIES
1/2 pound fresh green beans
1 small garlic, thinly sliced
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1-2 tablespoons golden vinegar

  • Bring skillet to a medium high heat.
  • Add butter to melt.
  • When sizzling add onions and green beans simmering until soft, about 10 minutes.
  • Add garlic and red pepper flakes
  • Add vinegar, stirring to blend.
  • Season to taste.
  • Turn to low and cover.

CHICKEN
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 1/2 tablespoons butter or GHEE
Wondra
Fresh ground salt and pepper to taste

  • Bring skillet to a medium high heat.
  • Add butter to melt.
  • When sizzling add chicken and sear 3-4 minutes per side until cooked through and golden.

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MARRY ME CHICKEN with KAHLUA CANDIED MUSHROOMS

Here is a tasty reduced version of the original Marry Me Chicken. The salt, pepper, brown sugar and Kahlua flavors meld together to form a sweet nutty taste on the mushrooms that melts in your mouth.MARRY ME CHAMPAGNE CHICKEN (reduced)
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 cup all-purpose flour for dredging
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup Pink Moscato champagne

  • Generously salt and pepper each breast.
  • Lightly dredge chicken breasts with flour.
  • In a large skillet, lightly brown chicken breasts to a nice golden brown in oil.
  • Once browned on both sides, add onions and champagne.
  • Cook over medium heat, champagne should boil a little, for approximately 1/2 hour. When chicken is tender, transfer chicken to a platter.
  • Pour cream into skillet. Simmer about 5 minutes, until slightly thickened. Pour sauce over chicken breasts. Serve.

2 tablespoons butter
1/2 pound mushrooms, sliced thin
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
1 teaspoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon Mocha Kahlua

  • Melt butter over medium high heat.
  • Add mushroom slices and saute’ until mushrooms are softened and starting to brown well.
  • Add salt, pepper, brown sugar and Kahlua, sauteing until well coated.

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MARRY ME CHAMPAGNE CHICKEN

I got this recipe from a friend when we were in Michigan in 2006.  Evidently, it was ALL the rage back there several years before, but I’d never heard of it before.  I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it.

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 cup Wondra flour for dredging
1 teaspoon sea salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
2 tablespoons AVOCADO oil
2 1/2 cups fresh sliced mushrooms
1 bunch green onions, thinly sliced
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup champagne**

Prepared Noodles

  • Generously salt and pepper each breast.
  • Lightly dredge chicken breasts with WONDRA flour
  • In a large skillet, lightly brown chicken breasts to a nice golden brown in oil.
  • Once browned on both sides, add onions, mushrooms and champagne.
  • Cook over medium heat, champagne should boil a little, for approximately 1/2 hour. When chicken is tender, transfer chicken to a platter.
  • Pour cream into skillet.
  • Simmer about 5 minutes, until slightly thickened.
  • Pour sauce over chicken breasts. Serve.

NOTE** For a twist I will sometimes use a flavored Moscato instead of champagne.

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MARINATED ROAST TURKEY BREAST with HONEY CRISP APPLE GRAVY

MARINATED ROAST TURKEY BREAST with HONEY CRISP APPLE GRAVY
1 boneless skinless turkey breast (about 1 pound)
1/2 cup Chardonnay
1/4 cup Bragg’s Liquid aminos
2 tablespoons Ken’s Italian dressing
1 cup water
1 teaspoon Litehouse freeze dried garlic
1 teaspoon Litehouse freeze dried red onion
1 teaspoon orange peel
1 tablespoon Bertolli white balsamic reduction
1 Knorr homestyle chicken gel
2 tablespoons butter, sliced into several slices

  • Whisk together the wine, liquid mains, Italian dressing, garlic, red onion, orange peel, white balsamic reduction and chicken gel.
  • Add water and whisk until well blended.
  • Place turkey breast in a ziplock bag that is in a baking dish.
  • Pour marinade over, seal and refrigerate for 2-8 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 400°
  • Remove turkey breast and place in baking dish.
  • Pour marinade over top.
  • Roast uncovered for 15 minutes per pound.
  • Rest breast in foil while preparing the gravy.

GRAVY

1 Just Beechnut Honey Crisp Apples (baby food)
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour

  • In a small saucepan combine baby food and remaining liquid in roaster.
  • Bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes.
  • Melt the butter in a microwave safe bowl.
  • Whisk flour into butter to create a roux.
  • Add roux to saucepan, whisking until desired thickness.

NOTE: There is plenty of salt and pepper seasoning within these ingredients so do NOT add more salt and pepper.

PAN SEARED CHICKEN with BROWNED PARSLEY BUTTER

PAN SEARED CHICKEN with BROWNED PARSLEY BUTTER
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
flour for dredging
4 tablespoons butter
1 large green onion, sliced thin
salt, pepper and paprika to taste
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
Juice of 1 lemon
Juice of 1 lime

  • Place chicken between the folds of a clean cheesecloth towel.
  • Pound chicken breasts to 1/4 inch thick.
  • Cut each breast in half.
  • Generously season both sides of chicken breasts.
  • Dredge chicken in flour.
  • In a large skillet melt butter over medium high heat.
  • When butter is sizzling, but not browning, add onions and chicken pieces.
  • Generously season AGAIN!
  • Cook chicken 4-5 minutes on each side.
  • Plate chicken and keep warm.
  • Add parsley, lemon and lime juices, cooking until browned.
  • Pour over chicken pieces.
  • Garnish with Parsely.

CHEESY RANCH CHICKEN SALAD aka CRACK CHICKEN SANDWICHES

This is another one of those recipes that is floating around on facebook, but looked so yummy we HAD to try it.  O.M.G. this is phenomenal! I added a diced shallot to the mix that is sooooooo good. I did have to do an internet search to see why it was called crack chicken and LOL all I could find was a blog that alluded to it being “addicting”.  Anyway you slice it, it is DELICIOUS! Hubby hates the name though so we’re calling it Cheesy Ranch Chicken Salad.

CHEESY RANCH CHICKEN SALAD aka CRACK CHICKEN SANDWICHES – makes 4 sandwiches
1 1/4-1 1/2 pound boneless, skinless Chicken Breasts
8 ounce block Cream Cheese, cut into small cubes
1 Dry Ranch Dressing package mix
1 shallot, diced
1/3 pound Bacon, diced and cooked crisp
4 of your favorite rolls
4 slices Quality Sharp Cheddar Cheese
1 small Red Onion, Thinly Sliced
Your favorite BBQ Sauce (we like Sweet Baby Rays or King’s Hawaiian)

  • Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towel and place them in your crock pot.
  • Top evenly with cream cheese cubes.
  • Sprinkle the dry ranch evenly over the top the cheese cubes.
  • Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 4 hours. Chicken is ready when it can easily be shredded with a fork.
  • When chicken is cooked, shred it.
  • Add the bacon pieces.
  • Stir the mixture to blend everything well.
  • Spoon one portion of chicken mixture on the bottom half of each roll, top with a slice of cheese and place under the broiler JUST until cheese has melted.
  • Add onion slices.
  • Drizzle with BBQ sauce
  • Spread BBQ sauce on the top half of each bun.
  • Enjoy!

 

MIMOSA CHICKEN ala BISCUIT HEAD with CAT HEAD BISCUITS

I LOVE watching cooking shows and LOL I will NOT apologize for that. If I learn just one thing or find one New recipe, it was worth my time. Watching the new Hannah Hart show the other night I learned about Biscuit Head in Asheville, North Carolina. It is said that locals and tourists alike flock there for their cathead (because they are the size of a cat’s head) biscuits, an all-you-can-eat jam and butter bar and their mimosa chicken, not to mention their fresh-squeezed mimosas and their sake-spiked bloody Marys.

I understand that husband and wife team, Jason and Carolyn Roy behind the popular cafe (which has opened two additional locations since the West Asheville spot opened in 2013) have written a new cook book, Biscuit Head New Southern Biscuits, Breakfasts, and Brunch where they reveal many of the recipes they are most popular for, including their Mimosa Fried Chicken recipe below.

THIS IS IT, the secret recipe for their phenomenal fried chicken. “While many think of chicken breasts when it comes to fried chicken, we say you can’t beat the chicken thigh. It is a more tender, moist, and flavorful cut—though if you really want to, you can substitute breast meat in this recipe. I made it with the thighs as they wrote it, but will be replacing it with breasts next time, we just prefer them.

BISCUIT HEAD MIMOSA CHICKEN Makes 4 servings

BRINE
2 tablespoons kosher salt
3 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons ground coriander
1 bay leaf
2 cups water
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon curry powder
2 cups orange juice
¼ cup champagne

  • Mix together all of the ingredients for the brine, Stirring until the salt and sugar are dissolved, then place the chicken into the brine.
  • Cover and chill in the fridge overnight.

CHICKEN
4 large boneless skinless chicken thighs
1 quart vegetable oil
2 cups Biscuit Head Dredge (see below)

  • In large pot preheat your oil to 335°.
  • While your oil is heating up, remove the chicken from the brine and shake off any excess liquid.
  • Completely coat the chicken in the dredge by shaking in a Ziplock bag. Let the chicken thighs rest for 3 minutes in the dredge bag, then give them one more good shake in the dredge to make sure that they’re fully coated.
  • Carefully place each piece of chicken into the hot oil and fry, cooking for about 10 minutes should get the chicken right where you want it. You are looking for a nice golden crust and an internal temperature of 162°F.
  • Remove the chicken from the oil and place on a wire rack to rest a few minutes—serve it while it’s hot!

DREDGE
8 cups all-purpose flour
¼ cup salt
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon ground smoked paprika
½ tablespoon ground cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper

  • Sift everything together and mix well.
  • Store in an airtight container for up to one year.

NOTE:  This recipe can also be cooked in a cast-iron skillet on the stove top. Use lard if you go this route and use enough that the melted lard comes up at least halfway on what you’re cooking.  The goal is to flip just once.

CLASSIC CAT HEAD BISCUITS yields: 6 large biscuits or 8-10 smaller one
2 ½ cups all purpose flour
2 ½ cups King Arthur cake flour
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon baking powder
8 tablespoons butter, cubed into small pieces and well chilled
2 cups whole buttermilk

  • Preheat your oven to 375°.
  • Adjust oven racks to center of oven.
  • Grease a baking sheet or cast-iron skillet (pan spray works fine).
  • In a large mixing bowl, sift together both flours, salt, and the baking powder.
  • Gradually add the butter. DO NOT let the butter to melt or soften in your hand. You do want the butter to release steam as the biscuit cooks. That steam adds to the airiness and lightness of your final biscuit product.
  • Add the buttermilk and stir very gently to fold it in. DO NOT over mix!
  • Using an ice cream scoop, Scoop the dough onto your pan or skillet, making sure to keep the dough scoops right next to each other on the pan.
  • Bake the biscuits for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they are golden brown and fluffy.

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CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN

This started out as Chicken Francaise from Recipe 30.  Then I realized I had forgotten to purchase one ingredient (a lemon so I used a lime) and accidentally purchased something different (cilantro) from what the recipe actually called for which was parsley.  So I did what I always do, I substituted the most likely ingredients and voile’, we have a new recipe. I also don’t like olive oil so I substituted avocado oil. I used significantly more garlic also.  When the chicken was gone I poured the remaining sauce over the carrots and they were really good.

CILANTRO LIME CHICKEN
4 chicken steaks or 2 large breasts, halved
WONDRA flour for dredging
2 JUMBO eggs
1 handful of fresh cilantro, chopped fine
4 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
1 cup Moscato white wine
1 cup chicken stock
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons Avocado oil
4 tablespoons butter
Juice of 1 large lime
Salt and pepper to taste

  • Preheat oven to warm.
  • Whisk together eggs, salt, pepper, half of the cilantro and 2 tablespoons of the Parmesan cheese. Pour into a shallow dish large enough to fit a chicken breast.
  • Season eggs with salt and pepper, give them a light beat.
  • In another shallow dish, add the flour and a little more salt and pepper.
  • Heat the Avocado oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium high heat.
  • Dredge the chicken thoroughly in the flour followed by the egg wash, coating to cover well.
  • Cook on each side about 4-5 minutes (depending on thickness) until golden and cooked through.
  • Remove chicken to warm plate in oven and let rest.
  • Turn the heat up under the same pan and add your wine whisking well.
  • Add the crushed garlic.
  • Add the lime juice.
  • Add the chicken stock.
  • Add the remainder of chopped cilantro.
  • Add the remainder of butter and reduce the sauce for 2 minutes on full heat until it starts to thicken.
  • Return the chicken to the sauce and turn to coat in sauce.
  • Plate chicken immediately and top with sauce.

CHICKEN AND ONIONS in WHITE WINE CREAM SAUCE

CHICKEN AND ONIONS in WHITE WINE CREAM SAUCE
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/3 cup Wondra flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 cup butter
2 tablespoons avocado oil
1 small white onion, sliced and split into rings
1/3 cup white wine
2 tablespoons dried parsley
3/4 cup whipping cream

  • In a shallow bowl sift together the flour, salt and pepper.
  • Coat chicken with flour mixture and pat firm caking the flour into all the crevices.
  • In a large skillet heat together the butter and avocado oil.
  • Saute’ the onion rings until browned and beginning to caramelize.
  • Add the chicken and cook until brown on both sides and cooked through.
  • Remove the chicken and onions and set aside.
  • Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes until heated through.
  • Add the parsley and whipping cream, cooking over low heat until sauce thickens.
  • Serve over chicken and mashed potatoes.
  • Top with the onions.

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GLAZED SESAME CHICKEN STIR FRY

GLAZED SESAME CHICKEN STIR FRY
1 1/2 pound chicken breasts, cut into bite sized pieces
1 LARGE egg, beaten
1/2 cup rice flour
1 red pepper, diced or sliced small
3 green onions, sliced thin
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups broccoli florets
1 tablespoon honey
1 large can crushed pineapple
1/2 cup Hoisin sauce
1 +2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons Bragg’s Liquid Aminos
1/2 pound spaghetti noodles or Soba noodles, prepared al dente’

  • Drain pineapple retaining ALL the juice.
  • Generously season chicken steaks with salt and pepper.
  • Cut chicken into bite sized pieces.
  • Dredge chicken pieces first in beaten egg and then rice flour.
  • Heat wok or skillet to medium high.
  • Add 2 tablespoons sesame oil and coat pan well.
  • Add chicken pieces and sear on all sides JUST until done.
  • Remove chicken and keep warm.
  • Add additional sesame oil and heat.
  • Add broccoli florets and saute 1-2 minutes.
  • Add bell pepper and garlic and cook until pepper is tender.
  • Add green onion.
  • Whisk together the pineapple juice, soy sauce, honey, Hoisin sauce and cornstarch until well blended.
  • Add sauce mixture to the wok. Cook 2-3 minutes, stirring well.
  • Add in pineapple.
  • Cook until sauce is slightly thickened.
  • Add chicken pieces back in and toss to coat.
  • Add noodles and toss well.
  • Serve immediately.

This is my original recipe and it is great, but today I made thin chicken steaks because I already had them in the fridge, but much prefer the original bite size pieces – they get so much more flavor cooking that way.

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ARTICHOKE CHICKEN & PASTA with LEMON WINE SAUCE

I found this recipe called Italian Lemon Butter Chicken over at ALLrecipes and it was amazing!!  I did make several changes though for my family’s likes and we like it so much better, so go check out the original recipe and you decide.

Artichoke Chicken & Pasta with Lemon Wine Sauce
1/4 cup white wine❉
Juice of 2 large lemons
1/3 cup heavy cream❉❉
1/2 cup butter, chilled❉❉
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 pound dry campagnelle pasta
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves – pounded to 1/4 inch thickness
1 bunch green onions, halved and sliced
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup Wondra
salt and pepper to taste
4 slices bacon, diced
6 ounces mushrooms, sliced
6 ounces marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped ***TIP
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley

  • To make the sauce, pour the wine and lemon juice into a saucepan over medium heat. Cook at a low boil until the liquid is reduced by 1/3.
  • Stir in cream, and simmer until it thickens. Gradually add the butter 1 tablespoon at a time to the sauce, stirring until completely incorporated.
  • Stir in parsley.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Remove from heat, and keep warm.
  • Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to boil. Add pasta, and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and set aside.
  • Brown the bacon pieces most of the way until crispy. Drain the bacon pieces on paper towels.
  • Heat remaining bacon grease and 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • In a bowl, stir together flour, salt, and pepper.
  • Lightly coat chicken with flour mixture. Without crowding, carefully place chicken in hot oil cooking until cooked through and golden brown on both sides.
  • Remove the chicken to paper towels.
  • Stir the onions, mushrooms and artichokes into the remaining butter, adding more butter as necessary; cook until the mushrooms are soft.
  • Add in the bacon pieces.
  • Add in pasta, stirring to blend.
  • Add sauce to the pan and stir to coat well.

NOTE 1❉:  a dry blush works well also.
NOTE 2❉❉:  I didn’t have enough butter so substituted 3/4 cup buttermilk this time and was pleased with the results.

***TIP save your artichoke marinade and use it as a base for a quick salad dressing to go with your meal.

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RITZY CHEDDAR CHICKEN

RITZY CHEDDAR CHICKEN
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 sleeve RITZ crackers
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 cup whole milk
2 cups grated cheddar cheese

SAUCE
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons WONDRA flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup chicken broth
2 tablespoons sour cream
2 tablespoons butter

  • Pre-heat oven to 400°.
  • In a food processor grind crackers until fine crumbs.
  • Generously pepper chicken pieces.
  • Soak chicken pieces in the buttermilk.
  • Dredge chicken pieces through the cheese first and then the crumbs.  Pressing each layer firmly into the chicken pieces before the next layer is applied..
  • Spray a baking dish with non-stick cooking spray.
  • Lay chicken pieces into the baking dish.
  • Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes.
  • Remove the foil and bake another 5-10 minutes or until chicken is golden brown.
  • While chicken is baking begin the sauce.
  • Melt the butter in heavy saucepan.
  • Blend in flour and salt, cooking until bubbly.
  • Remove from heat and gradually stir or whisk in chicken brothe and milk alternately.
  • Return to heat and cook, constantly stirring until smooth and thickened.
  • Stir over a medium high heat until sauce is heated through.
  • Serve over chicken.

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