Country Garden Chicken With Cheesy Grits Recipes

COUNTRY GARDEN CHICKEN WITH CHEESY GRITS

Steps:

• Place oil in large sauté pan and heat on medium-high 2-3 minutes.
• Moisten chicken with 1 tablespoon water. Place breading mix in bowl. Coat chicken, one piece at a time, by pressing into breading mix; turn and coat other side. (For thicker breading, coat twice.) Set chicken aside. Wash hands.
• Place chicken, using tongs, in hot oil and cook 6-8 minutes, turning occasionally, until crisp and golden brown. Remove chicken from pan; cover to keep warm.
• While chicken cooks, prepare grits.
• Stir tomatoes, green peppers, onions and vegetable seasoning into pan with drippings. Heat over medium-high heat 2-3 minutes until onions are translucent. Stir in gravy mix and gradually add remaining 1 1/2 cups water, stirring continually, until sauce is smooth. Reduce heat to low and cook 2-3 minutes, stirring often, to heat thoroughly. Serve sauce over chicken.
• Grits Preparation Steps
• Combine all ingredients in microwave-safe bowl.
• Cover and microwave on HIGH 6 minutes, until water is absorbed, stirring once. Serve.

FRIED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CHEESY GRITS

Steps:

• Chicken:
• Combine buttermilk, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and paprika in a large bowl or large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken thighs, cover bowl or seal bag, and toss to coat. Chill at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours.
• Grits:
• Bring 4 cups salted water to a boil and gradually add grits, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking occasionally, until grits are very tender and creamy, 25-30 minutes. Add cream cheese and Parmesan; whisk until melted and incorporated; season with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm until ready to serve.
• Frying and assembly:
• Whisk flour, cayenne, garlic powder, paprika, and 2 tsp. salt in a medium bowl.
• Remove chicken thighs from brine, letting excess drip off. Working in batches, dredge chicken in flour mixture, occasionally dipping your fingers in brine as you pack on flour to help create moistened, shaggy bits (the makings of a super-crisp crust); transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.
• Fit a large cast-iron skillet with thermometer and heat oil until thermometer registers 350°F. Working in batches and returning oil to 350°F between batches, fry chicken thighs, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and coating is deep golden brown and crisp, 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack set inside a baking sheet and let sit while you cook the kale.
• Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add kale in large handfuls, letting it cook down slightly before adding more and tossing to coat. Season with salt and pepper and cook, tossing occasionally, until wilted and bright green, about 2 minutes. Add vinegar and 1 Tbsp. pepper jelly and toss to coat.
• Divide grits evenly among bowls and top with kale, fried chicken, and more pepper jelly.

BBQ CHICKEN AND CHEESE GRITS BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In 3-quart saucepan, heat water and salt to boiling. Slowly stir in grits; reduce heat to medium. Cover; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Add pepper Jack cheese and butter, stirring until melted and smooth. Pour into baking dish.
• In medium bowl, mix chicken and barbecue sauce. Spoon chicken mixture over grits. Sprinkle with cheese blend.
• Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes. Sprinkle with onions. Top individual servings with salsa.

CREAMY CHEDDAR GRITS

Steps:

• Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a heavy 4-quart saucepan. Add the salt, then slowly add the grits in a thin, steady stream, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the grits thicken, about 5 to 7 minutes.
• Add the half-and-half and butter to the grits and stir. The mixture will seem thin but it will thicken as it cooks. Bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally. Cover the pot, reduce the heat to low, and cook, stirring occasionally for 45 minutes, until very smooth and creamy. Off the heat, stir in the Cheddar, scallions, and pepper. Season to taste and serve hot with a sprinkle of grated cheese and scallions.

CHICKEN WITH PARMESAN GRITS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat a medium skillet over medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to skillet, skin side down, and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 15 minutes (reduce heat if chicken browns too quickly). Transfer to a plate and tent with foil. In skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium and add tomatoes, onion, and garlic. Cook until tomatoes are softened and onion is tender, 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small pot, bring 1 cup water to boil. Stir in grits and pinch of salt; cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until water is absorbed, about 7 minutes. Stir in Parmesan and 1/2 teaspoon oil; season with salt and pepper. To serve, top grits with chicken and vegetables and sprinkle with parsley.