Darn Good Chicken Recipes

CREAMY CHICKEN AND GNOCCHI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook gnocchi according to package instructions; drain well. Season chicken with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Working in batches, add chicken to the skillet in a single layer and cook until golden brown and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 4-5 minutes per side; set aside. Melt remaining 3 tablespoons butter. Add shallot, and cook, stirring frequently, until tender, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in garlic and thyme until fragrant, about 1 minute. Whisk in flour until lightly browned, about 1 minute. Gradually whisk in chicken broth and wine, and cook, whisking constantly, until slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Stir in half and half until thickened, about 1-2 minutes; season with salt and pepper, to taste. Stir in gnocchi and kale until the kale has wilted, about 1-2 minutes. Return chicken to the skillet; sprinkle with Parmesan. Place into oven and bake until bubbly, about 10-12 minutes. Serve immediately.

LEMON BUTTER CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Season chicken thighs with paprika, salt and pepper, to taste. Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large oven-proof skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken, skin-side down, and sear both sides until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side; drain excess fat and set aside. Melt remaining tablespoon butter in the skillet. Add garlic, and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes. Stir in chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan, lemon juice and thyme. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, stir in spinach, and simmer until the spinach has wilted and the sauce has slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Return chicken to the skillet. Place into oven and roast until completely cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 25-30 minutes. Serve immediately.

CREAMY HERB CHICKEN

Steps:

• Coat chicken breasts with the onion and garlic powders and herbs. Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of oil a large pan or skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken breasts until opaque and no longer pink inside (about 5 minutes each side, depending on thickness). Transfer to a plate; set aside.
• To the same pan or skillet, heat another 2 teaspoons of olive oil and sauté garlic, with parsley, thyme and rosemary, for about 1 minute, or until fragrant.
• Stir in milk (or cream); season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Bring to a boil; add the cornstarch mixture to the centre of the pan, quickly stirring, until sauce has thickened slightly. Reduce heat and simmer gently for a further minute to allow the sauce to thicken more.
• Return chicken to the skillet. Sprinkle with extra herbs if desired. Serve immediately.

THE BEST DARN WAY TO BARBECUE CHICKEN

Steps:

• Prepare the chicken as indicated then wash in cold water and dry with paper towels.
• In medium size saucepan, melt the margarine over a medium low heat, adding all of the other ingredients.
• The reason for using margarine instead of butter is to reduce the burning while cooking.
• When the mixture has heated through, let the mixture set awhile to let the flavors “marry”.
• Make sure your charcoal is gray-white before starting to grill.
• One other implement is needed-- a bottle of water to douse the flames (and there will be flames).
• Dip each piece of chicken into the sauce until covered than place on the grill about 10 inches from the coal.
• You will have flame-ups, but don’t worry about it, that is normal-just keep dousing with water and you will have lots of smoke.
• The smoke is the real secret to the great flavor.
• Let the chicken cook for about 45 minutes, turning and dipping in the sauce about every 5 minutes or so.
• This recipe requires constant attention- don’t walk away.

BEST DARN CHICKEN TENDERS

Steps:

• 1. Prepare chicken. Slice into even pieces, as similar in size as you can get.
• 2. Liberally season one side with garlic, onion, and Creole seasoning. Toss together.
• 3. Get out two bowls. In one add 2 cups of flour, 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning, salt, and garlic powder. Whisk together. In the second bowl, add eggs, 1/4 cup flour, 1/4 cup milk, and 1 tablespoon oil. Whisk until smooth.
• 4. Heat enough oil in a deep pan or deep fryer (I use my wok) to cover chicken once placed in oil. Or, you can flip them as they cook, if you don't have enough oil to cover. Heat the oil to 350 degrees.
• 5. When the oil is hot enough, dredge chicken in the egg mixture.
• 6. Then coat with flour mixture.
• 7. Drop into hot grease. They will float when done (about 8 - 10 minutes ). I always cook until golden.
• 8. Add only 8 - 10 pieces at a time, depending on how big your pan is. You don't want to overcrowd or will cool down your grease too quickly, leaving you with greasy chicken. You may want to adjust heat as you go if it gets to be too hot, but you want it hot enough to crisp the chicken.
• 9. As each batch is cooked, drain on paper towels. While hot, I sprinkle with salt or Creole seasoning.
• 10. Serve with my delicious honey mustard. To make the honey mustard, combine all ingredients together in a medium-sized bowl. Stir until blended and chill until ready to serve.