Company Is Coming Chicken!

Hoping everyone is well during this corona virus pandemic.  Haven't been posting for a very long time as I babysit my grandson everyday.  But now with the virus and being quarantined, all that has changed. I miss him terribly as well as the rest of my family.  Being stuck inside the house is not something I enjoy.  My days are now filled with cleaning, cooking, eating and watching TV.  I have gone on an occasional walk, but the weather is still cold and I don't like being cold. I am cooking and baking a lot more, which is not good for the waistline (I gained 6 lbs already!) as I have a dress to fit into for my oldest daughter's wedding. I keep saying to myself "YOU NEED TO STOP FEEDING YOUR FACE!" Every day I wake up with a plan and by mid-morning it's all out the window!

But, good food is something I do enjoy, so I plan ahead what I am gong to make for dinner and try to have something healthy to snack on as well.  The fridge and freezers are stocked, so everything I need to prepare a delicious meal is always at hand. If I don't have something, I can always improvise.

I made this chicken dish last week and it was fabulous.  Creamy sauce with sun dried tomatoes, cheese, cream, fresh basil and a little heat. Try it, you will love it, and it's easy to make all in one pan.

Recipe below.

 I like to start cooking with all my ingredients in front of me, it makes pulling a meal together faster.

 I used a cast iron frying pan, love using them.  Chicken breasts cooking up with a little salt and pepper.

 After chicken is semi-done remove and start making the sauce.

This is so easy and I love the fact that it's all done with one pan, an easy cleanup.

 Add the cream and look at all that flavor!

 Tomatoes in.........

And the cheese!  Everything is better with cheese.

 Bake the chicken and spoon sauce over the top.

And this is the end result, a beautiful and tasty dish,  I served mine with garlic green beans and
 Cacio e Pepe farfalle. Enjoy!
 Please stay safe and healthy my friends.

Chicken Breasts in a Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Sauce 

Serves 4

Ingredients

2 T. olive oil

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 tsp. each salt and pepper

4 gloves minced garlic

1 1/2 tsp. fresh thyme, 1/2 tsp. if using dried

1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes, more if you like heat

1 cup chicken broth

3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup oil packed sun dried tomatoes, chopped and drained

3/4 cup grated Pecorino-Romano cheese, reserve 1/4 cup for topping

Fresh Basil, sliced

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  In a large cast iron skillet or other oven safe skillet, heat the oil over medium high heat.  Season the chicken on both sides with salt and pepper.  Add to the pan and cook on both sides until golden brown about 6-7 minutes on each side.  Remove the chicken and put on a plate.  Do not clean the pan.  Reduce heat to medium and add the garlic, saute until fragrant, do not burn it.  Add the thyme, red pepper flakes, broth and heavy cream.  Cook, stirring for about 5-7 minutes.  Add in the sun dried tomatoes and 1/2 cup Pecorino-Romano cheese. Add the chicken breasts back into the pan.  Bake until the chicken is cooked through, juices run clear and the sauce is bubbly and thickened.  Remove from oven.  To serve, spoon sauce over the chicken breasts and top with reserved 1/4 cup of cheese and fresh basil.

A Million and One Ways To Make Chicken

I took boneless, skinless chicken breasts out for dinner last night.  Now all I had to do was figure out what to do with them.  Do you know there are a million and one ways to make chicken.  It's so versatile, can be paired with anything and it always tastes good.  I have to say we eat alot of chicken and pasta, beef prices are too high, even for just two people!  I stock up on all cuts of chicken when I see a sale, because there are so many ways to make it.

I made this recipe with my chicken breasts last night, I call it "Don't Hold The Mayo" chicken, baked in the oven with a crispy topping, along with a side of thyme steamed broccoli and carrots and herbed bread, it was fabulous!

Recipe below.

To print recipe, click on it highlight and print.

To view pictures in a larger format click on them.

Three ingredients is all it takes for moist, delicious chicken. Mix the breadcrumbs and grated cheese together for the topping.

 Squirt the mayo on and spread over the top of the chicken breasts.

 Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the mayo and bake until golden brown.

 Steamed up some broccoli florets and carrot slices with thyme as my side, and toasted herbed garlic bread to finish it off.

Dinner is served!

 "Don't Hold The Mayo" Chicken

Ingredients

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/2 cup regular or light mayonnaise

1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

1/4 cup grated Locatelli cheese or other Italian cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.  Wash and pat dry the chicken breasts.  Place chicken breasts on the baking sheet about 2-3 inches apart.  Spread the mayonnaise over the tops of the chicken breasts.  Pour the bread crumbs in a bowl and toss with the cheese. Sprinkle the bread crumb mixture over the top of the chicken until it's covered.  Bake for 35-40 minutes or until the juices run clear.  Makes 2 servings.  

Everything Is Grilling

It has been so hot here on the east coast that I don't even feel like eating.  There is never a time when I don't feel like eating, so this may be good for me, NOT!  When it gets hot like this, I try to find easier things to cook outside, so the inside doesn't get hot, and messy.  Chicken is a great idea, there are so many things you can do with all parts of a chicken.  I grilled up boneless skinless chicken breasts, red sweet peppers, vidalia onions and ciabatta rolls, then topped with a slice of sharp provolone cheese.  These are amazing tasting sandwiches, no mess in the house and easy to eat.  Recipe below.

To print recipe, click, highlight and print.

 I only had to make four sandwiches, so I used one large red pepper and 1/2 of a large vidalia onion.  I also used two large chicken breasts and marinated them in Caesar salad dressing.

Toss the peppers and onions in olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic powder.  Nice grill marks on my chicken, how pretty!

Drizzle a little olive oil on the ciabatta rolls so they grill up nicely.

 

Onions and peppers caramelizing and the rolls lightly toasted.

A slice of provolone, sliced chicken, grilled peppers and onions, throw on a little fresh basil if you like. This all put together makes a luscious, mouth watering, easy sandwich for a hot summer night dinner.  Enjoy!

Grilled Chicken and Pepper Sandwiches

Ingredients

2 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/4 cup Caesar salad dressing

1 large sweet red pepper

1/2 large vidalia onion

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

4 ciabatta rolls, or other crusty roll

2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, for the rolls

4 slices sharp provolone

Directions

In a resealable bag, marinate the chicken in the Caesar dressing for 2 hours in the refrigerator.  Seed and slice the pepper into 1/2 inch slices and cut the onion into thick slices.  Toss the vegetables with the salt, pepper, garlic powder and olive oil, cover and set aside.

Heat the grill, place chicken breasts top side down.  Grill on each side for 8-10 minutes, depending on the thickness of your chicken, cooking time will vary.  Chicken will be done when the juices run clear.  In a pan that is grill safe, start grilling the peppers and onions. Drizzle all the rolls, tops and bottoms, with the other 2 tablespoons of olive oil.  Place the rolls on the high top rack of the grill, when they brown take them off. You can grill them on the bottom rack if you like, just be careful not to burn them.

To assemble the sandwiches:  Cut the chicken breasts in half, turn the four pieces on their sides, then slice across the breast, so you have nice big pieces. Place a slice of provolone on the bottom of each roll (the warm chicken will melt it), top with sliced chicken and grilled peppers and onions.  Makes 4 sandwiches.