Lemon Chicken with Potatoes

Looks easy, delicious and economical . . . great for a beginner in the kitchen.

What I would change . . . substitute thighs with boneless skinless chicken breasts or tenderloins.

This recipe comes from Pillsbury.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons butter

2 tablespoons packed brown sugar

1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning

1 teaspoon salt

1 package (28 oz) boneless skinless chicken thighs

1 lb baby red potatoes, quartered

1/2 medium yellow onion, cut into large pieces

1 lemon, sliced

1/4 teaspoon pepper


Directions

Heat oven to 400°F. 

Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) baking dish with cooking spray.

Meanwhile, in 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium-high heat. 

In small bowl, stir together brown sugar, Italian seasoning and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Sprinkle over chicken.

Cook chicken in skillet 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and crispy.

Arrange chicken, potatoes, onions and lemon slices in baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Melt remaining 1 tablespoon butter, and drizzle over mixture.

Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until potatoes are tender and juice of chicken is clear when thickest part is cut (at least 165°F).

Photo and recipe source

Garlic Cheddar Chicken Bake

Chicken and rice meals are among my favorites and I love the twist of cheddar cheese in this recipe that comes from Pillsbury.

It looks delicious and I can't wait to make it!

Ingredients

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 cup Progresso™ plain panko crispy bread crumbs

1 package (14 oz) chicken tenders (not breaded), cut into bite-size pieces

1 cup uncooked regular long-grain white rice

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper 

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder 

2 1/2 cups Progresso™ chicken stock (from 32-oz carton)

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (8 oz)

Chopped fresh Italian (flat-leaf) parsley, if desired

Directions

Heat oven to 375°F. 

Spray 8-inch square (2-quart) baking dish with cooking spray. 

Mix melted butter and bread crumbs until well mixed in small bowl. Set aside.

Mix chicken, rice, salt, pepper, garlic powder, chicken stock and 1 1/2 cups of the cheese in the baking dish until well mixed.

Bake 45 to 50 minutes until most of the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.

Sprinkle remaining 1/2 cup cheese and the bread crumb mixture evenly over rice mixture. Bake about 5 minutes or until crumbs are light golden brown.

Sprinkle with chopped parsley.

Source

Fiesta Smothered Chicken

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (5 ounces each)
• 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 1/4 cup chopped onion
• 4 teaspoons chopped seeded jalapeno pepper
• 6 teaspoons butter, divided
• 1/4 cup shredded pepper Jack cheese
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Directions

Combine the soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce and garlic powder in a large resealable plastic bag.  Add the chicken. 

Seal bag and coat the chicken; set aside.

Saute the mushrooms, onion and jalapeno in 2 teaspoons butter until tender in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray. Remove and keep warm.

Drain and discard marinade. 

Place drained chicken in remaining butter in the same skillet.  Cook over medium heat for 4-5 minutes on each side or until a meat thermometer reads 170°. 

Spoon vegetable mixture over chicken breasts.  Sprinkle with cheeses. 

Cover and cook for 1-2 minutes or until cheese is melted. 

Yield: 2 servings.

Editor's Note: Wear disposable gloves when cutting hot peppers; the oils can burn skin. Avoid touching your face.

Originally published as Fiesta Smothered Chicken 

in Cooking for 2 Spring 2009, p28

Source

Crouton Crushed Chicken Tenders with Orange Barbeque Sauce

Love the concept of baked chicken that tastes like fried chicken, making it a healthier choice.

One of the things I love about this recipe is the use of croutons as a major breading ingredient.  Sandra Lee suggests store bought croutons (you know, the semi-homemade thing), but I would opt to make my own.  Some comments on the recipe page complained about the breading being bland.  You can make it as bland or as flavorful and spicy as you want depending on the croutons you use.  Could be they used plain croutons!  Make sure to keep this in mind when planning this recipe.

A tip I gained from watching this episode is the method she uses to bread the chicken using tongs instead of her hands.  I use the one hand for dipping in the wet ingredient and the other for breading . . . I hate when I get uncoordinated and get my hands all mucky with breading and eggs.  Love the idea of using tongs . . . let the tongs get all mucky!

Recipe courtesy Sandra Lee

The Food Network
SHOW:  Semi-Homemade Cooking
EPISODE: Moms Tailgate Party


Ingredients

• 1 (6-ounce) bag garlic and butter croutons
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/3 cup plain bread crumbs
• 1 1/2 pounds chicken tenders

Orange Barbeque Sauce:

• 1/3 cup barbeque sauce
• 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 teaspoon hot sauce

Directions

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Cut the corner off of the bag croutons just enough to let the air escape. Place the bag onto a cutting board, cover with a kitchen towel and smash it with a rolling pin. Crush the croutons until coarse in texture.

Set up a breading station with 3 pie plates or baking dishes. In 1 dish add the flour, and season it with poultry seasoning, and a generous pinch of salt and pepper. In the second dish mix together the egg and buttermilk. In the third dish add the crushed croutons, and the bread crumbs.

Dip chicken tenders into the flour and shake of any excess. Then dip them into the buttermilk, and then into the bread crumb mixture making sure to thoroughly coat the tenders. Put the tenders on a baking sheet and bake for 10 to 12 minutes.

Transfer to a platter and serve with the orange barbeque sauce.


Orange Barbeque Dipping Sauce: Add all of the ingredients to a small bowl, and whisk together until well combined.

Chicken Breasts with Stuffing Mix

Comfort food the easy way.  I love easy semi-homemade recipes that use convenience foods that are not very expensive.  Stove Top Stuffing is my new favorite convenience food!

Ingredients:

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 2 (10 1/4 ounce) cans cream of chicken soup
• 10 ounces water
• 4 slices swiss cheese
• 1 (6 ounce) box seasoned stuffing mix (I use StoveTop)

Directions:

Mix cream of chicken soup with water.

Pour into 13x9x2 baking dish.

Lay chicken breasts on top.

Add a slice of Swiss cheese on each chicken breast.

Pour the dry stuffing mix over the top, covering it completely.

Bake covered at 350F for 1-1/2 hours.



Photo and Recipe Source