Basil Cilantro And Macadamia Nut Chicken Recipes

BASIL, CILANTRO AND MACADAMIA NUT CHICKEN

Steps:

• Put ginger, garlic and peppers into a food processor and process til smooth.
• Add macadamia nuts and continue to process.
• Add oil, lime juice yogurt, basil, cilantro and spices and process again until smooth.
• Put the chicken in a medium bowl, and add the mixture, stirring to coat all pieces.
• Cover and refrigerate chicken for 12 hours.
• This step is not necessarily required (I have made it after marinating for only 1/2 hour, but the flavor is much better if you do let it marinate).
• Heat a bit of oil (2 tbls) in a wok, or deep dish fry pan.
• Add chicken and its marinade to pan and cook thoroughly, stirring frequently, until marinade sticks to chicken.
• This will take about 20 minutes to 1/2 hour.
• The mixture will look soupy at first, and then begin to thicken up as the sauce reduces.
• I like a little heat, so I also add a little chili oil to the dish.
• Serve with steamed jasmine or basmati rice.

CHICKEN WITH GINGER-CILANTRO PESTO

Steps:

• Combine first 5 ingredients in processor. Blend until nuts are finely chopped. Add 6 tablespoons oil and process until well blended. Season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature before using.)
• Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; sauté until brown and cooked through, about 6 minutes per side.
• Transfer chicken breasts to plates. Top each with some pesto and serve.

CHICKEN WITH BASIL AND LIME

Steps:

• Stir together 1 tablespoon lime juice, oil, soy sauce, sugar, shallot, and 3/4 teaspoon salt in an 8-inch square baking dish. Add chicken; toss to coat. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Heat broiler. Arrange chicken on top of shallot in dish. Broil 8 inches from heat source until lightly browned, about 7 minutes. Flip chicken, arranging shallots around sides. Broil until chicken is cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes more. Let stand for 5 minutes. Slice chicken crosswise. Reserve pan juices.
• Transfer chicken and reserved pan juices to a bowl. Toss with basil and remaining tablespoon lime juice.

BALSAMIC CHICKEN BREAST WITH CILANTRO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
• Place the chicken breasts into a baking pan.
• Pour the olive oil over chicken.
• Add the garlic cloves, chopped, to the pan over chicken.
• Grind the black pepper over chicken to suit your taste.
• Layer the fresh mushrooms over the chicken in the pan.
• Cut or chop the fresh cilantro into small pieces over the chicken.
• Include the stems and leaves.
• Pour the Balsamic vinegar over chicken to cover the breasts.
• Cover the baking dish an place on center rack of oven for 40 minutes.
• I have also made this recipe using frozen chicken breasts from the freezer when in a hurry for a dish.
• If chicken is frozen cook for a total of 1 hour 20 minutes and check to insure chiken is done by cutting into one of the breasts.

CRUNCHY MACADAMIA NUT CHICKEN OVER TROPICAL FRUIT PAELLA

Steps:

• Tropical Fruit Paella:.
• Put the rice in a sieve and rinse under cold running water until the water runs clear. Drain well. In a saucepan, heat 2 Tablespoons of the olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sautee for about 3 minutes, until soft. Add the rice, lemongrass and salt and stir well. Add the stock, stir, cover and cook for 12 to 14 minutes over medium heat until the rice is tender and the liquid is absorbed. Remove and discard the lemongrass.
• Meanwhile, in a skillet, heat the remaining 2 Tablespoons of oil over medium-high heat. Add the ginger and garlic and sautee for 4 to 5 minutes. Add the bell pepper, green onion, water chestnuts, and all the fruits and saute lightly for about 2 minutes, until heated through. Add this mixture to the rice and toss to combine. Keep warm until serving time.
• Pineapple Chutney Dipping Sauce:.
• Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Set aside.
• Chicken:.
• Put the rolled oats in a food processor and pulse until finely chopped. Transfer to a bowl. Put the macadamia nuts in the food processor and pulse until finely chopped but not stuck together. Add the nuts to the oatmeal and mix well. Add the flour, thyme and Parmesan cheese and mix well again. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Dip the chicken breasts into the melted butter. Dredge the breasts in the oats mixture until they are well coated.
• In a large skillet, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts skin side down and fry, turning once, for about 4 minutes on each side, until crispy and brown and cooked through. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• To Serve:.
• Put a spoonful of the paella in the center of each plate and top with a chicken breast. Serve with the dipping sauce alongside.

MACADAMIA PESTO

Steps:

• In a food processor, using a pulse action, chop the macadamias, basil, garlic and parmigiano until very finely minced. Pulse in the lemon juice, olive oil and add salt to taste. The mixture should be pureed, but retain some texture.
• Toss your favourite cooked pasta with the pesto; top bruschetta with it; dip crostini into it -- .

MACADAMIA CHICKEN WITH ORANGE FRANGELICO SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine nuts and panko bread crumbs.
• Dredge chicken in flour, dip in beaten egg, coat with nut mixture and chill for 1/2 hour.
• In a heavy skillet, heat oil and butter and saute chicken over medium heat for 10-12 minutes turning once.
• Remove from skillet and keep warm.
• Pour chicken broth, orange juice, frangelico, and reserved mandarin juice into pan and heat until boiling.
• Cook until sauce is reduced by 1/3. Blend in the butter, 1 tablespoons at a time, until sauce thickens.
• Add mandarin oranges and heat through, 2-3 minutes.
• Pour over chicken and serve.