APPLE DAPPLE CHICKEN & APPLES

4 chicken breasts cut in half longways
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small bunch green onions, sliced
1/4 cup Apple Dapple Schnapps
1/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon white pepper
3/4 cup orange pineapple juice
2 small Granny Smith Apples, cored, sliced and re-sliced
3/4 cup heavy cream

  • In a large skillet, melt together the butter and olive oil over a medium high heat.
  • Brown chicken on both sides. Move chicken to the edges of the pan and add green onions to the center. Saute’ a few minutes until onions are tender.
  • Pour Apple Dapple Schnapps over the tops of all the chicken pieces.
  • Carefully ignite and allow to burn down.
  • Pour orange pineapple juice over chicken pieces and then sprinkle all the seasonings over chicken tops. Bring to a boil. Cover.
  • Lower heat and simmer 15 minutes.
  • Add slice apples over chicken and recover. Simmer 10 minutes more.
  • During this time be warming a serving dish in the oven.
  • With a slotted spoon remove chicken and apples to serving dish. Keep warm.
  • Add heavy cream to the skillet. Bring to a boil.
  • Lower heat, stirring constantly until sauce thickens and is reduced by half.
  • Spoon sauce over chicken and apples.
  • Serve immediately.

BBQ SALAMI ROASTED CHICKEN

I found an awesome sale recently on roasting chicken and more importantly found this awesome 8 pound bird.  Yep, I said 8 pounds.  I’m going to get several meals out of this one!  As for the leftovers, I think we’ll have a Chicken Caesar salad and some Chicken a la King – haven’t had that in eons!
I will write the recipe though based on a standard size bird. I also swear I had bacon in the meat keeper, but it’s not there now so today we made it with hard salami and guess what?  It was awesome!  Honestly the main purpose of the meat is to keep the moisture in.

BBQ BACON SALAMI ROASTED CHICKEN
3-4 pound roasting chicken
6 slices bacon, cut as necessary
1 cup favorite BBQ sauce
1/2 cup chicken broth
salt and pepper to taste
3 stalks celery, washed and halved lengthwise
3 large carrots, washed and halved lengthwise
  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Clean and wash the chicken well.
  • Layer celery and carrots on bottom of roasting pan.
  • Pour broth over vegetables.
  • Generously salt and pepper chicken.
  • With a silicone basting brush, brush chicken with a layer of BBQ sauce.
  • Basket weave the bacon together over the entire chicken.
  • Brush another coat of BBQ sauce over the bacon.
  • Roast chicken uncovered.
  • Baste with BBQ sauce every 1/2 hour.
RULE OF THUMB FOR ROASTING CHICKEN:  
30 minutes per pound up to 3 1/2 pounds.

22-25 minutes per pound over 3 1/2 pounds

BLACK RASPBERRY GLAZED CHICKEN

BLACK RASPBERRY GLAZED CHICKEN

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons butter
1 bunch green onions, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon sea salt, halved
1/3 cup blackberry preserves
2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar
1/4 teaspoon white pepper

  • Heat butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
  • Add onion and garlic, sauteing until translucent and fragrant.
  • Sprinkle over chicken with salt and pepper.
  • Add chicken to skillet and saute’ until done.
  • Remove chicken from skillet & keep warm.
  • Reduce heat. Add 1/4 teaspoon salt, preserves, vinegar, & pepper, stirring constantly until the preserves melt.
  • Spoon sauce over chicken, and its done!
  • Serve with buttered noodles or rice.

CHICKEN MILANO

CHICKEN MILANO
4 tablespoons butter, divided*
2 pounds chicken tenders
1 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped**
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
2 cups chicken broth
2 cups heavy cream
1 pound fettucini
salt and pepper, to taste
2 tablespoons chopped basil

  • In a large skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat.  Add garlic and saute until fragrant.
  • Add onions and saute until soft.
  • Add tomatoes and 3/4 cup of the chicken broth. Simmer 10minutes.
  • Add the cream and bring to a boil, stirring constantly.
  • Reduce heat to a simmer and cook until sauce is thickened to desired consistency.
  • Meanwhile prepare pasta per package directions.
  • In another skillet melt remaining butter over medium heat.
  • Wash chicken pieces and pat dry.
  • Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper generously.
  • Add chicken to butter and saute on both sides until cooked through.
  • Plate chicken.
  • Toss fettuccini and sauce together until well coated. Add to plated chicken.
  • Sprinkle with basil.
  • Enjoy.

* I use butter or safflower oil

**next time I will probably puree them slightly

CHICKEN POT PIES

6 cups shredded chicken (2 rotisserie chickens)*
2 medium onions, chopped
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 celery stalks
1 small bag baby carrots
1 small bag frozen green beans or 1/2 pound fresh, cleaned and cut
2 cups chicken broth
12 oz. evaporated milk
1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon Wondra flour
3/4 teaspoon thyme
1/4 cup cooking sherry
1/8 cup parsley
salt and pepper to taste

  • Separate chicken from fat and bones and set aside. 
  • Heat oil in dutch oven. Saute’ onions and celery until just tender. 
  • Transfer to a large mixing bowl and toss with chicken. 
  • Mix together chicken broth and milk and microwave until steamy, 2-3 minutes. 
  • In a large sauce pan melt butter. When foamy stir in flour, parsley and thyme until golden. 
  • Gradually whisk in the hot milk mixture. 
  • Bring to a simmer and cook until thick. 
  • Turn off heat and stir in sherry, salt and pepper to taste. 
  • Stir in chicken mixture and vegetables. 
  • Divide into 6-8 small French white Pyrex round baking dishes. 
  • Cover with lids and freeze.
  • When ready to bake, thaw and bring to room temperature. Cover with pie crust** and bake at 400 degrees for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. With this recipe you don’t end up with a bottom crust, but just think of how many calories you’re saving.

*I usually make this when my local market has a buy one get one free on the rotisserie chickens.

**Pillsbury pie crust from the dairy section will make 2 pot pies with left over pieces for decorative leaves. Unfold a sheet of puff pastry onto a lightly floured surface. Using a floured rolling pin, roll the dough out gently. Measure the diameter of the pot pie bowls, and cut out dough rounds that are slightly larger in diameter. Repeat until you have made all the necessary tops. Whisk an egg in a small bowl. Lay the dough rounds on top of the pot pies. Brush the dough lightly with the beaten egg. Bake the pies for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown. Serve immediately.

CHICKEN PUFFS

I’m not quite sure where I originally found this recipe, but we fell in love with it and it makes a wonderful presentation for company.  The pictures are from when I originally made it with whole chicken breasts, but I have since changed it to using bite sized pieces.  Using chicken tenders works best.  It bakes better and is much easier to eat!
CHICKEN PUFFS
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts or tenders
4 Pepperidge farm puff pastry sheets, defrosted
4 ounces cream cheese
1/2 pound bacon, cut into quarters
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 handful flat leaf parsley
sea salt and white pepper to taste
1 large egg, beaten
PURE
  • Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  • Add cream cheese, green onions, parsley, salt and pepper to a small food processor and process until well blended.  Set aside.
  • Cook bacon until crisp.  Drain on paper towels.
  • Cut chicken into bite size pieces.
  • In a large bowl, toss chicken pieces with cream cheese mixture until well coated.
  • On a large jelly roll pan that has been sprayed with PURE, lay out your puff pastry pieces and seal any stray seams.
  • Divide chicken evenly among the 4 sheets.
  • Top evenly with the bacon.
  • Pull up all four corners and give them a little twist in the center.
  • Brush with beaten egg.
  • Bake 30 minutes until golden brown.
  • Serve immediately.

CHICKEN SCALLOPINI IN BRANDY SAUCE

CHICKEN SCALLOPINI IN BRANDY SAUCE
For 4 People
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, sliced in 1/2 horizontally**
3+ tablespoons butter
½ cup brandy
Juice of 1 lemon
flour
salt and pepper

  • Wash and dry the slices after slicing them in half and removing any excess fat. 
  • Melt 2-3 tablespoons of butter in  large skillet.
  • Dredge the chicken slices and place in the pan.
  • Brown them, salt and peppering them generously.
  • Set aside, keeping warm. 
  • Add the remaining butter, brandy and juice of a lemon to the pan, scraping the bottom for any chicken pieces. Blend well. Let sauce start to thicken.
  • When sauce has just about reached desired thickness, return the chicken slices to the pan, covering well with the sauce.
  • Serve immediately.

** I used breast tenders this time and it was great! 

Recipe Rundown
Taste: Both savory and sweet, tangy and rich.
Texture: Tender caramelized onions on top and fork tender. 
Ease: Super easy and quick.
Appearance: Appetizing and visually appealing.
Pros: Addicting and wonderful for entertaining.
Cons: None!
Would I make this again? Yes.

DRUNKEN CHICKEN

According to Wikipedia Drunken Chicken is a name given to many different ways of cooking chicken that all involve alcohol. A western version (also known as beer can chicken, dancing chicken or chicken on a throne) is made by standing a prepared chicken upright on a partially filled can of beer and cooking it slowly in a barbecue or oven. The can goes into the opening of the chicken so that the beer evaporates and permeates the cooking chicken. It received the name dancing chicken due to way the chicken wobbles once the beer has evaporated and due to the fact the chicken is flavored with evaporated beer. The wobbling and falling usually indicates the chicken is done This means I already have a drunken chicken recipe with my Tropical Roasted Chicken, but thought I’d try for another!

DRUNKEN CHICKEN
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 tablespoons butter
1 ounce Curacao
1 ounce Bacardi rum
1 bunch green onions, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 broccoli crown, cleaned and separated
1 can diced garlic & onion tomatoes, drained but reserve juice
salt & pepper to taste
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
2 cups egg noodles

  • Pierce each chicken breast several times with a fork.
  • Combine the rum and Curacao in an airtight tupperware.
  • Add chicken and marinade for several hours over overnight.
  • Prepare egg noodles according to package directions.
  • Steam broccoli to JUST tender.

  • In a small saucepan melt 3 tablespoons butter.
  • Sprinkle with flour and make roux.
  • Combine the marinade and reserved tomato juice and add to roux.
  • Cook over medium heat until thickens slightly.
  • Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a skillet over a medium heat.
  • Drain chicken, retaining marinade.
  • Saute chicken, garlic and green onions together, salt and peppering to taste.
  • Add tomatoes and heat through.
  • Add broccoli until warmed through.
  • Plate over egg noodles.
  • Pour sauce over top.

FRENCH ONION CHICKEN

These were serious Dolly Parton chicken breasts that I found on sale.  I just didn’t realize HOW big they were until I opened the package today.  I made these tonight with bone in breasts, but next time will use boneless to make the meal easier for everyone.

FRENCH ONION CHICKEN
4 chicken breasts
4 tablespoons butter
4 slices bacon, diced and browned
1 package Laura Scudder’s French onion dip mix
2 tablespoons dehydrated red pepper
1/3 cup flour
1 large bunch green onions, sliced
2 cups homemade chicken broth
PURE
1 cup sour cream

  • Rehydrate the dehydrated red pepper in chicken broth for an hour before beginning to cook.
  • In a large skillet melt butter.
  • Sift together the flour and Laura Scudder’s green onion dip mix into a large plastic bag.
  • One at a time dredge chicken in flour mixture coating well.
  • Brown chicken on both sides until crisp.
  • Using an electric skillet, spray with PURE.
  • Add browned chicken breasts.
  • Gently pour the broth mixture around the edges of the chicken. 
  • Top chicken pieces with green onions.
  • Set on 200 degrees and simmer for an hour.
  • Brown bacon and drain oil.
  • Remove chicken and keep warm.
  • Sprinkle the bacon over the chicken pieces.
  • Bring drippings to a boil and reduce to 1 cup.
  • Remove from heat and quickly whisk in sour cream for gravy.
  • Serve with mashed potatoes.

GARLIC PARMESAN STUFFED CHICKEN with MELTED STRAWBERRIES and HERB RICE PILAF

GARLIC PARMESAN STUFFED CHICKEN with MELTED STRAWBERRIES*
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
4 ounces grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves minced garlic, jar
1 large bunch green onions sliced
1/4 cup seedless strawberry or raspberry jam*
3 1/2 cups strawberry pieces*
salt and pepper to taste
Juice of 1 lime
2 tablespoons white balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  • Whisk together the jam, lime juice and vinegar.
  • Pour over strawberries and onions toss together.
  • Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spread into a 3 quart baking dish.
  • Toss garlic and Parmesan cheese together.
  • Cut a pocket in the side of each chicken breast and fill with garlic cheese mixture. Secure with toothpicks to close or use these cool loops or band! Salt and pepper each side.
  • In a skillet, heat olive oil and saute’ onions. Add chicken and brown on each side.
  • Transfer chicken to a baking dish and put into the oven for 10 minutes.
  • Add the strawberry baking dish to oven and bake both another 15-20 minutes until chicken is no longer pink, the berries have softened and the jam mixture has thickened.
  • Serve chicken with the berries over top and with Herb Rice Pilaf.

*I like to also change it out sometimes and make it with apricot pineapple jam, an 8 ounce can drained crushed pineapple and 2 cups of fresh apricot pieces.

HERB RICE PILAF
2 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup chopped Vidalia onion
1/2 teaspoon each sea salt, thyme & lemon pepper
1 1/2 cups long grain rice
2 cups water
1/4 cup Riunite White Lambrusco
1 teaspoon Better than Bouillon chicken base
1/4 cup minced slivered almonds

  • Melt butter in medium saucepan.
  • Add the onion and cook until translucent.
  • Add rice and saute a few minutes, stirring constantly.
  • Whisk seasonings and bouillon base into water and wine.
  • Pour seasoned mixture over rice and bring to a boil.
  • Reduce heat and simmer until rice is tender and all liquid has been absorbed (about 20 minutes)
  • Remove from heat and let stand 5-10 minutes.
  • Stir in almond pieces.
  • Fluff.

GREEN TABASCO CHICKEN

Jalapeño Tabasco Sauce
1 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1/4 cup melted butter
1-1/2 chicken broth

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Juice 1/2 of orange.
  • Section other half of orange.
  • In a small sauce pan whisk together the orange juice and green Tabasco sauce.
  • Add the butter, garlic and chicken broth.
  • Simmer 10-15 minutes until well blended and slightly reduced.
  • Spray a baking pan with pure.
  • Toss together the chicken and green onions.  Arrange in baking dish. Add orange sections.
  • Pour sauce over top.
  • Bake 30 minutes.  Serve with Parmesan Potatoes and tortillas.

HERBED BBQ CHICKEN

It was another scorcher here today of 112 degrees and monsoony humidity so we stayed inside and painted the bathroom and a bedroom.  I’m exhausted though so decided to make this simple recipe for the grill.  It was made even simpler by having the lime juice in the freezer.  I buy the fruit and then squeeze it all at once making it into cubes for future recipes. And then even simpler yet by converting the fresh herbs into dry measurements and using a mortar & pestle to revive them.  This was a substitute for tonight, but I highly recommend using the fresh when you can.

HERBED BBQ CHICKEN
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup lime juice
2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil
2 tablespoons fresh chopped oregano
1 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper
4 chicken thighs, about 1 pound*
4 chicken drumsticks, about 1 pound*

  • In a small food processor mix together everything except the chicken.
  • Wash and dry the chicken pieces.
  • Pour herb mixture into a large ziploc bag and add chicken pieces.  Marinate chciken for 30 minutes to 24 hours.
  • Heat grill and spray with PAM for grilling especially if using skin free pieces.
  • Place chicken pieces on grill, reserving the marinade.
  • Cook on one side and then turning to other side.  Time will vary drastically based on type of chicken pieces you are using.
  • Pour reserved marinade into a small saucepan.
  • Bring to a boil over a medium-high heat and then remove from heat.
  • Brush over chicken pieces.

*I use whatever I have on hand – breasts, tenders, etc….