Amys Favorite Chicken Recipes

CLASSIC CHICKEN AND WILD RICE HOTDISH

Steps:

• Put the rice in a fine-mesh sieve and rinse it under cold running water, swishing the rice with your hand until the water runs clear. Transfer the rice to a medium bowl and add water to cover. Pour off any black bits or floating kernels, pour the rice back into the sieve to drain, then put it in a small saucepan. Add 1 1/4 cups water, a pinch of salt and the bay leaf; bring to a simmer. Cover the pan and reduce the heat to low. Cook 25 minutes, or until the rice is tender and the water has evaporated. (If liquid remains after the rice is done, drain it in a sieve.)
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Heat the butter in a large high-sided skillet over medium heat. Add the leeks and celery and season with 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Cook until tender, about 10 minutes.
• Add the flour to the vegetables and stir until well combined. Pour in the milk and bring to a simmer, whisking to prevent any lumps. Add the cream, chicken stock, thyme, nutmeg and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Simmer over low heat until the floury taste dissipates, about 5 minutes.
• Add the cooked chicken, wild rice (minus the bay leaf) and half of the cheese and heat until the cheese melts.
• Put the crushed crackers in a heavy plastic bag and add 1/4 teaspoon pepper and the olive oil. Shake to combine and set aside.
• Rub a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with a thin layer of soft butter. Pour the chicken mixture into the dish and top with the remaining cheese. Bake 25 minutes.
• Pull the dish from the oven, sprinkle the cracker mixture over the top and bake until the crackers turn golden brown and the mixture bubbles in the center, 15 to 20 more minutes. Serve immediately.

AMY'S AMAZING BAKED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Using 2 fingers, loosen the skin on each chicken breast. Thinly slice compound butter and stuff under skin to cover as much of the chicken as possible.
• Layer onion slices on the bottom of a glass baking dish. Pour in chicken stock. Place chicken breasts on top of the onions, skin-side up. Season with salt and pepper.
• Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. Start basting chicken with its juices and rotate if skin is not crisping evenly. Continue baking until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 25 more minutes, depending on the size of the chicken breasts. Baste chicken every 5 to 10 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

CHICKEN ALFREDO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400˚ F. Butter an 11-by-14-inch or other 4-quart baking dish. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
• Put the chicken in a dutch oven or other large pot, then add the chicken broth, crushed garlic, lemon zest, rosemary sprigs and bay leaves. Partially cover and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Cook, partially covered, until the chicken is tender, 20 to 22 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve (you should have 2 cups liquid; if necessary, add a little water to make 2 cups). When the chicken is cool enough to handle, tear or shred into small pieces. Wipe the dutch oven clean.
• Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until just al dente, adding the broccoli during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Drain the pasta and broccoli in a colander and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking. Let drain in the colander while you make the sauce.
• Melt the butter in the Dutch oven over medium heat. Add the chopped garlic and cook until sizzling, about 30 seconds. Sprinkle in the flour and stir to make a paste; cook until the flour is no longer raw, 1 to 2 minutes. Whisk in the reserved 2 cups cooking liquid and the heavy cream; season with 1 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper. Return to a simmer, whisking to make a smooth sauce. Cook over low heat until thickened, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in 1 cup Parmesan, the parsley and lemon juice. Add the chicken, pasta and broccoli and stir to coat. Transfer to the baking dish and sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan and the mozzarella. Bake until the top is golden and the edges are bubbly, about 25 minutes. Let rest 5 minutes before serving.

AMY'S GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Place the chicken breasts within a folded piece of plastic wrap; slightly flatten upper portion of each breast with the broad side of a chef's knife to promote even grilling.
• Place breasts in a shallow glass or ceramic dish.
• Place mustard, vinegar, garlic, honey, thyme, salt and pepper flakes in a small bowl; stir with fork to combine.
• Add oil a little at a time and whisk to combine marinade.
• Pour marinade over breasts.
• Cover with plastic wrap and marinate in refrigerator, turning once or twice in marinade, for at least 2 hours, or up to 4 hours.
• Remove breasts from marinade, scraping any bits clinging to chicken back into the shallow dish.
• Transfer all marinade to small saucepan and bring to a boil; reserve.
• Lightly grease grill rack with cooking spray.
• Preheat grill.
• Place breasts on grill.
• Cook covered with lid, basting frequently with marinade, until tender, approximately 5 to 6 minutes on each side.