Category: POULTRY

BUFFALO CHICKEN FRITES

We love this recipe because it is so easy to personalize it.  Hubby LOVES Bleu Cheese, me not so much so I can make mine with cheddar or Jack.

BUFFALO CHICKEN FRITES
2 russet potatoes
2 medium carrots, sliced on an angle thinly
1 large celery stalk, sliced on an angle thinly
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch green onions, sliced on an angle thinly
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into small bit sized pieces
1/4 cup sour cream
1/8 cup Bleu Cheese crumbles
1/4 cup grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/8 cup rice flour
1 +  1 teaspoon Ranch seasoning
2 tablespoons Frank’s Original Hot Sauce
2 +1  tablespoons butter
1 tablespoon Avocado oil
Fresh ground Himalayan Pink Salt, to taste
Fresh ground Black Pepper, to taste

  • Preheat oven to 450°.
  • Line cookie sheet with foil.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the sour cream, hot sauce and salt and pepper to taste.
  • Wash potatoes and dry well.
  • Slice potatoes into even size sticks.
  • Toss potato sticks with avocado oil and fresh ground pepper to taste.
  • Arrange potato sticks in a single layer on the cookie sheet and bake 15 minutes.
  • Toss again with 1 teaspoon of Ranch seasoning and bake another 15 minutes or until golden brown and crisp.
  • While frites are baking, prepare chicken.
  • In a ziplock bag combine the rice flour and 1 teaspoon of Ranch Seasoning.
  • Add chicken pieces and coat well.
  • In a cast iron skillet melt the butter.
  • Add chicken pieces and brown well on all sides.
  • When chicken is almost done move to outer edges of pan.
  • Add 1 tablespoon butter more to center along with onions, celery, carrots and garlic. Cook until veggies are tender.
  • Mix together veggies and chicken pieces.
  • Drain in a colander of any excess oil.
  • Toss chicken mixture with sour cream mixture.
  • Plate crisp frites.
  • Top with a scoop of chicken mixture.
  • Top with cheese crumbles and ENJOY!

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CAST IRON SKILLET ROAST CHICKEN

Do you like those rotisserie chicken from the market?  I do, but on average they are only 2-3 pounds and cost anywhere from $5-$8 or even more.  My local grocer ran a unadvertised special the other day and I got this 5.86 pound beauty for 97 cents a pound.

I love my cast iron skillet too!  There is nothing better for even cooking heat!  I like to roast my chicken in there so the sides are always radiating an even heat to whole chicken. 

CAST IRON SKILLET ROAST CHICKEN
1 5-6 pound roasting chicken
4 tablespoons butter, softened
salt & pepper
1/2 onion, wedged small
1 cup apricot pineapple preserves
1/4 cup PURE maple syrup
  • Wash chicken and dry.
  • Spread butter along the inside of the cast iron pan and all over the chicken.
  • Generously salt and pepper the chicken.
  • Place onions along side the chicken.
  • In a small bowl whisk together the preserves and syrup.  Set aside and allow to come to room temperature.
  • Roast at 350 degrees for 1 1/2 hours.
  • With a pastry brush spread preserve mixture all over the chicken every 10-15 minutes until skin is crisp and chicken is cooked through. This should be from 30-45 minutes based on the actual weight of your chicken.

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CHICKEN CAESAR SAMMIES ala Rotisserie OR Slow Cooker

I love this recipe!  It can be made one of 2 ways, slow cooker or quick and easy. It just depends on whether I’ve just gotten home from Costco with a batch of their rotisserie chicken parts or in the slow cooker when thighs are on sale. Yep, they now sell just leg quarters from yesterday’s rotisserie chickens at a much reduced price.

You can also choose to use bottle dressing or make your own.  I tend to use bottle when I’m using the Costco chicken to make it quick and easy. Using the Costco chicken also gives you the added option of making the recipe cold OR hot.

CHICKEN CAESAR SAMMIES ala Rotisserie OR Slow Cooker

6 chicken thighs, bone in, skin on
Salt and Pepper, to taste
1 cup Caesar dressing
1 cup Parmesan cheese
Kaiser Rolls

  • Season chicken with salt and pepper.
  • Place chicken in slow cooker skin side up.
  • Cook on low 5-6 hours.
  • Remove from slow cooker.
  • Remove skin and bones, shredding the chicken into a bowl.
  • Add dressing and cheese, mixing until well incorporated.
  • Serve on rolls.

CAESAR DRESSING  makes 1 1/2 cups
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon anchovy
Juice from one lemon
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the garlic, anchovy paste, lemon juice, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire sauce.
  • Add the mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, salt and pepper, whisking until well combined.
  • Taste and adjust to taste. Use immediately.

NOTE: Since I’m deathly allergic to mustard I make this recipe without the mustard, split the batch and then add ALL the mustard to my husband’s half. He loves it.

BUTTERMILK RANCH CHICKEN

BUTTERMILK RANCH CHICKEN

2 boneless chicken breast
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon avocado oil
1 + 1 teaspoons Hidden Valley Ranch dressing powder
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

  • Heat avocado oil over medium high heat in a non stick skillet.
  • Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the Ranch seasoning on both sides of chicken.
  • Add chicken to pan, searing for 5-6 minutes per side until cooked through.
  • Transfer to a plate and keep warm with foil.
  • DO NOT wipe the pan clean.
  • Add butter to man.
  • Once butter is melted add the remaining Ranch seasoning and cream, whisking until smooth.
  • Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently until thick enough to coat your spoon, 4-5 minutes.
  • Plate chicken and top with sauce.

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NOTE: I served it with mashed carrots for this picture, but hubby much prefers it with mashed potatoes and I have to agree with hum

BLACK BEAN SALSA CHEDDAR CHICKEN

This super sloppy looking recipe is soooooooo easy and super delicious too. I got it from my mom, but don’t remember where she got it. Mom makes it with chicken thighs and serves it over Fritos, but hubby prefers chicken breasts.

BLACK BEAN SALSA CHEDDAR CHICKEN

2 tablespoons butter
15 ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained
10 ounces of your favorite salsa
1 1/2 pounds chicken breasts, cut into large chunks
1 1/2 cup medium cheddar cheese
Fritos

  • Heat butter over medium high heat.
  • Add chicken pieces, quickly browning on all sides.
  • Add salsa and beans.
  • Reduce heat and simmer 15-20 minutes until chicken pieces cooked through.
  • Top with cheese, until melted.
  • Serve over Fritos.

CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS

CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS – This makes 12 or so meatballs
1 1/4 pounds ground chicken

1/2 cup breadcrumbs
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1 tablespoon chopped parsley
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
salt to taste
pepper to taste
1 clove garlic, minced
1 egg, whisked
zest of half a lemon
3 tablespoons sesame oil
Marinara pasta sauce
3-4 slices mozzarella

  • Preheat oven to 400°F, setting rack to upper third part of oven.
  • In a large bowl, using your hands, gently mix together first 10 ingredients.
  • Shape into golf-ball size balls and place a few inches from each other on a foil-lined baking sheet.
  • In a small bowl, mix one spoonful of your pizza sauce with olive oil.
  • Brush this mixture on top of each meatball.
  • Bake for 15 minutes.
  • Remove meatballs from oven, spoon some sauce on top of each meatball, and cover each with a slice of cheese.
  • Broil another 3 to 5 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  • Heat remaining sauce in a small saucepan.
  • Serve meatballs with pasta and a dollop of sauce.

Originally posted August 3, 2013

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PAN SEARED CHICKEN with MCGILLICUDDY SAUCE

I’ve been watching a bunch of cooking shows lately and am always intrigued with the chefs when they have to work with unusual ingredients.  I was watching Guy Fieri’s GUY’S GROCERY GAMES recently and was inspired by a Chef Darnell.  This man was so inspiring with his outside of the box thinking. So I sat down today to make up my own sauce with what I had on hand using his inspiration. I also did a little research first on sauces in general.

A sauce is a seasoned thin or thick cream, liquid or semi-solid food. Semi-solids are where the liquid comes primarily from the ingredients themselves, like a salsa. Sauces can be sweet, savory or sweet and sour. Sauces add flavor, moisture and/or a visual element to recipes. Sauces range in complexity with French sauces being some of the most complex and Asian sauces being some of the simplest. Sauces with starches in them will continue to thicken as they cool. So, remember to stop the heat a smidgen before your desired consistency. “Mother” sauces are primarily from French cuisine although there are cuisine specific sauces based on ethnicity, such as Italian sauces. Sauces using a “Mother” sauce as a base with augmentation or added ingredients is known as a “daughter” or “secondary” sauce.

Why name it McGillicuddy sauce?  I was watching an old I Love Lucy at the time 😀 It was just off the wall enough to make it original.

PAN SEARED CHICKEN with MCGILLICUDDY SAUCE

4 Chicken Steaks, fairly thin
Juice of 1/2 lemon
3 (2+1) tablespoons butter
1 medium Shallot, finely minced
1 large clove garlic, finely minced
1 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup McGillicuddy’s Honey Whiskey
1/3 cup Peach Nectar

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in skillet over medium high heat.
  • Add shallot and garlic, sauteing a minute or two.
  • Add whiskey, bringing to a QUICK boil.
  • Add cream, stirring to combine
  • Pour into a bowl and set aside at room temperature.
  • Add 2 tablespoons butter to skillet.
  • Generously season chicken with fresh ground salt and pepper.
  • Sear chicken until browned on both sides and cooked through.
  • Set chicken aside, keeping warm.
  • Add juice to skillet and bring to a boil, scraping browned bits from the bottom of the skillet.
  • Add sauce base, whisking to combine and bring to a SLOW boil.
  • Let sit a minute or two to thicken.
  • Spoon over chicken to serve.

ROASTED CARROTS and ASPARAGUS

2 tablespoons avocado oil
2 cups diagonally cut carrot slices
10 asparagus stalks, trimmed
2 cloves garlic, minced
Zest of 1 lemon + Juice of 1/2 lemon
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Salt and pepper, to taste

  • Heat oven to 425°.
  • Toss the carrots with 1 tablespoon oil and transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet.
  • Roast for 15 minutes.
  • Add the asparagus to the pan, drizzle with the remaining tablespoon of oil and toss to combine.
  • Pulse together the garlic and lemon zest until roughly chopped.  Add lemon juice.
  • Drizzle over vegetables.
  • Roast until the vegetables are tender, another 10 to 12 more minutes.
  • Sprinkle for Parmesan cheese when serving.

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PAELLA STYLE CHICKEN & RICE

PAELLA STYLE CHICKEN & RICE
1 cup frozen pearl onions, thawed and drained
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 pound Andouille (smoked pork) sausage, thinly sliced
1 1/2 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, quartered
1 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground sea salt
2 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
3 tablespoons avocado oil
1 fennel bulb with feathers, sliced saving feathers for garnish
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon saffron
1 can petite diced tomatoes
2 cups Arborio (Italian short grain) rice
1 cup water
3/4 cup dry sherry
1 3/4 cups chicken broth
1/2 pound small shrimp, cleaned and de-veined

  • Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in large saute’ pan over medium high heat.
  • Add sausage and brown about 5 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon to a plate and cover.
  • Add chicken pieces and brown on all sides. Remove with slotted spoon to a plate and cover.
  • Add remaining oil to pan.
  • Add fennel, onions and bell pepper to pan sauteing until fennel softens.
  • Stir in garlic, paprika, salt and saffron, stirring until fragrant and sizzling.
  • Add tomatoes and cook, stirring 5 minutes to blend well.
  • Add rice and coat well. Add water, chicken broth and sherry. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Reduce heat, cover and simmer until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed, about 25 minutes.
  • Arrange chicken and shrimp on top of rice, cooking another 5 minutes covered to heat chicken and shrimp through.
  • Garnish with fennel fronds and Enjoy.

CHICKEN CHOW MEIN

CHICKEN CHOW MEIN

3 tablespoons peanut oil
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1 cup sliced celery
5-6 cups shredded Napa cabbage
1 cup bean sprouts
1/2 cup sliced carrots
2 cups chicken broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
3 teaspoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 tablespoons cold water
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken pieces (I like a combination of breast and thigh pieces)
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes +/-
1 pound spaghetti or vermicelli

  • Prepare spaghetti according to package directions.
  • Over a medium high flame heat the peanut oil in a heavy skillet.
  • Saute’ the celery, onions, bean sprouts and cabbage until cabbage is wilted.
  • Remove with a slotted spoon.
  • Cut chicken into bite size pieces.
  • Add a bit more oil and saute’ chicken pieces.
  • Remove with a slotted spoon.
  • Add the broth, sesame oil, soy sauce and sugar. Simmer for several minutes until it begins to thicken.
  • Whisk the cornstarch into the cold water until smooth. Add to the broth mixture and bring to a boil.
  • Add vegetable mixture and chicken pieces back in, heat through and coat well.
  • Toss with prepared pasta and heat through.


I use my salad spinner for draining pasta to get all the excess water out.

OPEN FACED GRILLED CHICKEN with MANCHAPENO SAUCE

Chris is right, these sandwiches are deceptively BIG so I ALWAYS cut them in half.  I’d never heard of Manchapeno sauce before. That is until Chris made it up inspired by the Kentucky Hot Brown. Manchapeno sauce is a white sauce powered by a fire roasted jalapeno pepper and the salty nutty taste of manchego cheese. Chris was also right that this sauce is DECADENT!

OPEN FACED GRILLED CHICKEN with MANCHAPENO SAUCE ala NIBBLE ME THIS
3 large chicken thighs, boneless, skinless
Chicken Rub (see below)
3 slices Italian bread (I usually omit)
2 roma tomatoes, sliced in 1/4” pieces
6 slices bacon, cooked crisp
Manchapeno Sauce (see below)

CHICKEN RUB
½ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon black pepper
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon turbinado sugar

MANCHAPENO SAUCE
1 tablespoon butter, unsalted
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Wondra flour
1 cup milk
1 cup Manchego cheese
¼ teaspoon pepper
¼ teaspoon salt
1 red jalapeno (green if that’s all your can find), fire roasted, peeled and seeded
2 tablespoons parsley, finely diced

  • Make the “manchapeno sauce”. Melt the butter and saute garlic over medium heat for 1-2 minutes. Add the flour and stir until well blended in (2-3 minutes), starting to form a roux.
  • Add in the milk and lightly simmer for 5-6 minutes. Stir in the cheese in small batches until all blended.
  • Stir in the salt, pepper, jalapeno, and parsley.
  • Keep warm on low, stirring occasionally.
  • Season chicken with the chicken rub.
  • Grill chicken over direct heat at 400f for 4 minutes.
  • Flip can cook another 4 minutes. Boneless thighs are thin and cook quick, keep an eye on them.
  • Flip again and cook 1-2 minutes. Flip last time and cook 1-2 minutes until chicken is an internal temp of 160f.
  • Toast both sides of the bread over the flames.
  • Top each piece of bread with a piece of chicken, slices of tomato, and 2 slices of bacon.
  • Ladle the sauce over the sandwich and serve immediately.

NOTE: Fire roasting the pepper gives it a smokiness like a “quickie chipotle”.  If you don’t like heat, you could use a roasted red bell pepper instead.

CHICKEN CACCIATORE ala SLOW COOKER

CHICKEN CACCIATORE ala SLOW COOKER

1/2 cup dried porcini mushrooms
2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1 large carrot, finely chopped
2 tablespoons Avocado oil**
Fresh ground salt and black pepper
4 cloves garlic, minced
14.5 ounce can stewed tomatoes
1/4 cup dry red wine
1/4 cup beef consomme’
1/4 cup Wondra flour
2 tablespoons tomato paste
PASTA

*Soak the mushrooms in 2/3 cup HOT water for 10 minutes.
*Toss carrots and chicken with avocado oil in slow cooker.
*Generously season chicken with salt and pepper.
*Strain mushrooms through coffee filter lined sieve, reserving the liquid for later.
*Finely chop mushrooms.
*Top chicken with chopped mushrooms, garlic.
*Strain tomatoes into the mushroom liquid.
*Hand crush tomatoes over top of the chicken.
*Whisk together the tomato mushroom liquid, tomato paste and red wine with the flour until smooth.
*Pour wine mixture over chicken pieces.
*Cover and cook on low 7 hours.
*Using 2 forks shred chicken.
*Let stand uncovered 15-20 minutes and sauce will thicken.
*Re-season as necessary.
*Serve over prepared pasta.

**NOTE: I don’t care for the flavor of olive oil, but it is a great substitute for the avocado oil.

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CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN with PEPPERED GRAVY and FAMILY FAVORITE MASHED POTATOES

I included two pictures.  The top picture was last night using thinner chicken steaks and the bottom picture is an older one using thicker steaks.  Both, are great with this recipe. I’ve update the recipe to make a crisper coating.
CHICKEN FRIED CHICKEN
2 large boneless chicken breasts
1 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup Wondra
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
2 eggs
1/2 cup Panko crumbs
2-4 tablespoons butter (enough to keep chicken from burning~add as necessary)

  • Rinse and pat dry the chicken breasts.
  • In a shallow glass pan, pour buttermilk over chicken 1-2 hours prior to cooking.
  • Make sure to coat chicken well and turn at least once during soaking.
  • Drain, but do NOT rinse the buttermilk off.
  • In a medium sized fry pan melt the butter over medium heat. As butter melts and begins to very slightly sizzle, prepare breasts.
  • In a shallow pan mix together the flour, salt and pepper.
  • In another shallow pan whisk eggs until well blended.
  • In another shallow pan add Panko crumbs.
  • One at a time, dredge each chicken breast in flour mixture, then egg mixture and then Panko crumbs.
  • Add to sizzling butter.
  • Cook 4-6 minutes each side depending on plumpness.
  • Keep chicken warm.

PEPPERED GRAVY
3 tablespoons butter
5 tablespoons Wondra flour
1 1/4 cups whole milk
3/4 cup whipping cream
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon Black pepper + (to taste)

  • Melt butter into bottom of pan you just cooked the chicken in.
  • Scrape up any of the chicken pieces and mix into new butter.
  • Add flour slowly, stirring until absorbed by butter and golden brown.
  • Slowly add first the milk and then the cream.
  • Stir constantly until thickens.
  • If necessary sprinkle in more Wondra until desired thickness is reached.
  • Serve over chicken and mashed potatoes.

FAMILY FAVORITE MASHED POTATOES
4 large Yukon potatoes, peeled & quartered
4 ounces Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened
1 small bunch green onions, sliced thin
1/4 + buttermilk
4 tablespoons butter
salt & pepper to taste

  • Boil potatoes in salted water until fork tender.
  • Drain.
  • Mash all together salt and peppering to taste.