Melissas Lemon Pepper Chicken Recipes

FOUR-STEP LEMON-ONION CHICKEN

Steps:

• Season the chicken with the dried thyme, and salt and pepper to taste. Heat a large saute pan over medium heat and add the olive oil. Put the flour in a shallow dish. Working in batches, dredge the chicken in the flour and add to the pan; saute until cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and tent with aluminum foil.
• Add the red onion and fresh thyme to the pan and cook over low heat, stirring occasionally, until aromatic, about 5 minutes.
• Combine the wine, chicken broth and the juice of 1 lemon in a bowl. Turn the heat under the pan to high and deglaze with the broth mixture, scraping up the pan with a wooden spoon. Cook until the liquid starts to reduce, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in 1 1/2 tablespoons butter. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, put the spinach in a microwave-safe dish and add 3 tablespoons water; cover loosely with plastic wrap and microwave until hot and wilted, 5 to 6 minutes. Drain and toss with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon butter, the juice of the remaining lemon, and salt and pepper to taste. Arrange on a platter and top with the chicken. Spoon the sauce on top.

FLEXIBLE 4-STEP CHICKEN FOR FAMILY AND COMPANY - RUSTIC LEMON-ONION CHICKEN

Steps:

• Season chicken with dried thyme and salt and pepper. Heat a large saute pan over medium heat and add the oil. Dredge the chicken in flour, add to the hot oil and saute until cooked through. Set chicken aside to rest on plate tented with foil.
• In same saute pan, over low heat, add onions and fresh thyme and cook until aromatic.
• In a measuring cup, measure out wine, if using, and broth, and add the lemon juice. Turn the heat up to high, and deglaze the pan with the broth mixture until starting to reduce.
• Remove the pan from the heat and finish the sauce by whisking in butter. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Place a bed of cooked spinach on a serving platter, top with the chicken. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve.
• Spinach "bed":
• Microwave spinach in a microwave-proof dish with a few tablespoons of water on high for 5 to 6 minutes, or until hot. Drain, and toss with butter, lemon juice, and salt and pepper, to taste.
• The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe and therefore, we cannot make representation as to the results.

MELISSA'S LEMON PEPPER CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Brush an 8X8 oven-proof glass container with olive oil and place chicken breasts in container.
• Add sea salt, lemon pepper and basil on chicken.
• Cut half of lemon into thin rings and place on top of chicken.
• Squeeze other half of lemon on chicken.
• Place glass container of chicken in oven and bake for 45 minutes.

LEMON-PEPPER CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large, shallow bowl, whisk together lemon juice, garlic, shallots, oregano, rosemary, bay leaf, lemon zest, pepper and oil.
• Add chicken, turning it to coat with marinade, and let it marinate, skin side up, covered and chilled, for 3 hours.
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
• Put rack in middle position of oven.
• Arrange chicken, skin side up, on a rack in a roasting pan.
• Season lightly with salt.
• Roast for 35-45 minutes. Halfway through, sprinkle on pepper and lemon zest.
• This is also great grilled on the bbq.