Mediterranean Lemon Chicken With Artichokes And Orzo Recipes

DOUBLE-DUTY CHICKEN WITH OLIVES & ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, mix flour, garlic salt and pepper. Dip chicken thighs in flour mixture to coat both sides; shake off excess. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. In batches, brown chicken on both sides. Transfer to a 4-qt. slow cooker., Sprinkle garlic, lemon zest, thyme and rosemary over chicken. Top with artichoke hearts, olives and bay leaf. In a bowl, mix orange juice, broth and honey; pour over top. Cook, covered, on low 4-5 hours or until chicken is tender. Remove bay leaf., Reserve 4 chicken thighs for Double-Duty Chicken & Feta Spinach Salad; cover and refrigerate. To serve remaining chicken, mix gremolata ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle over chicken and artichoke mixture.

ORZO WITH CHICKEN AND ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Stir in pancetta, and cook until browned. Remove to paper towels.
• Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil into skillet. Stir in onion, garlic, and red pepper flakes. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is soft and translucent. Increase heat to medium high, pour in white wine; cook about 3 minutes.
• Reduce heat to low, stir in chicken, artichoke hearts, and spinach. Cover, and cook to warm through.
• Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to boil. Add orzo pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain, and stir into chicken mixture.
• Stir pine nuts and balsamic vinegar into pasta.

LEMON CHICKEN WITH ORZO

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, mix flour and garlic powder. Cut chicken into 1-1/2-in. pieces; pound each with a meat mallet to 1/4-in. thickness. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Dip both sides of chicken in flour mixture to coat lightly; shake off excess., In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add chicken; cook 3-4 minutes on each side or until golden brown and chicken is no longer pink. Remove from pan; keep warm. Wipe skillet clean., In same pan, bring broth to a boil; stir in orzo. Return to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, 8-10 minutes or until tender. Stir in spinach, tomatoes, lemon juice, basil and remaining salt; remove from heat. Return chicken to pan. If desired, serve with lemon wedges.

MEDITERRANEAN LEMON CHICKEN WITH ARTICHOKES AND ORZO

Steps:

• 1. Cook the orzo according to package directions. Drain and transfer to a large bowl. Stir in olives. Keep warm.
• 2. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and cook until browned. Transfer chicken to a plate.
• 3. Add the artichoke hearts, garlic, and oregano to the skillet. Cook, stirring constantly until fragrant. Return the chicken to the skillet and add the broth and lemon juice; bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, until the chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes.
• 4. Add chicken and artichoke mixture to pasta in large bowl. Serve with a smile!

CRISPY CHICKEN WITH LEMON ORZO

Steps:

• Combine the flour, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper in a shallow bowl. Remove the tenders on the underside of the chicken breasts and save for another use. (This makes the chicken breasts an even thickness so they cook evenly.) Heat the canola oil and 4 tablespoons of the butter together in a large (12-inch) cast-iron skillet over medium heat until the butter has melted and begins to sizzle.
• Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture and shake off any excess. Place the chicken, skin side down, in the skillet and cook over medium heat without moving for 12 minutes. With the chicken still skin side down, place the skillet in the oven and roast for 10 minutes.
• Return the skillet to the stovetop over medium heat (careful; the handle will be hot!). Turn the chicken skin side up, add the remaining 5 tablespoons of butter, and continue cooking for 3 to 5 minutes, until the butter is a nutty brown color and the chicken breasts are just cooked through (an instant-read thermometer will register 130 to 140 degrees F). Off the heat, sprinkle on the parsley.
• Divide the Lemon Orzo with Feta among four dinner plates. Transfer the chicken to a cutting board and slice each breast crosswise in thick slices. Arrange one breast on each plate with the orzo. Spoon a few tablespoons of the brown butter over each chicken breast, squeeze on some lemon, and sprinkle with salt. Serve hot with a fresh wedge of lemon on each plate.
• In a large saucepan, bring 2 quarts of water to a boil. Add 2 teaspoons salt and the orzo. Return the water to a boil and simmer uncovered for 9 to 11 minutes, until the orzo is al dente. Drain.
• Transfer the orzo to a bowl and stir in the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, dill, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Fold in the feta and serve hot.

MEDITERRANEAN ARTICHOKE CHICKEN WITH ORZO

Steps:

• 1. Pound chicken breasts to flatten evenly. Season with pepper.
• 2. Drain artichoke hearts, set aside, save marinade.
• 3. Bring 1/4 cup marinade to boil in large skillet. Ad chicken and cook over medium heat until lightly browned.
• 4. Add artichokes, broth, pepper flakes, remaining marinade and orzo. Bring to boil, lower heat, cover and cook until chicken and orzo are done. Add lemon juice and capers. If too much liquid remains, boil another minute to reduce a bit OR add liquid if too dry!!
• 5. Serving idea: serve with steamed Italian (flat) green beans.