Poultry Essentials Pan Grilled Chicken Breast Recipes

THE BEST GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• One at a time, place the chicken breasts in a 1-gallon zip-lock bag; using a meat mallet, pound to an even ½-inch thickness.
• Mix all of the ingredients except for the chicken together in a 1-gallon zip-lock bag (go ahead and use the same one you used for pounding if it is still in good shape). Add the chicken breasts to the bag and massage the marinade into the meat until evenly coated. Seal the bag and place in a bowl in the refrigerator (the bowl protects against leakage); let the chicken marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat the grill to high heat and oil the grates. Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook, covered, for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Do not overcook. Transfer the chicken to a platter and serve.

PAN-GRILLED CHICKEN WITH GREMOLATA

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Remove the tenderloins from the chicken breast and set aside for another use. Brush the chicken lightly with oil, then season the skin with salt and pepper. Place the chicken on the grill skin-side down, and cook until the edges turn opaque, about 6 minutes. (To get nifty cross-hatch grill marks, about half way through cooking reposition the breast about 45 degrees from their original position.) Season with salt and pepper, and turn chicken over, and cook until firm to the touch, about 6 more minutes.
• While the chicken cooks, make the gremolata: Chop the garlic, add the salt, and continue chopping to make a paste. In a small bowl, stir the garlic together with the lemon zest, parsley and olive oil Season with pepper, to taste.
• Slice the breasts, against the grain and serve with the gremolata.

POULTRY ESSENTIALS: PAN GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• PREP/PREPARE
• Essential Equipment: A cast-iron grill pan works great for this recipe (that is what I am using). If you do not have one you could use a regular cast-iron skillet. If you do not have a regular cast-iron skillet, a regular skillet will work, but do not use a non-stick skillet. A non-stick skillet will not give you the browning that gives this dish its flavor.
• To brine, or not to brine. That is the question: For example, if you are braising the chicken in a slowly-simmering sauce, then brining is not necessary. However, with chicken in a hot skillet, it can make a big, tasty difference. So, if you have a bit of time, place the chicken breast into about a quart of water with 2 tablespoons of salt, and maybe a teaspoon of sugar, and place into the fridge for about 1 or 2 hours, no longer.
• Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
• Sprinkle a generous amount of salt, and white pepper to both sides of the chicken.
• Place the butter and oil into a skillet over medium-high heat.
• When the butter has melted, add the chicken, and veggies to the hot skillet, and sprinkle the veggies with a bit of salt.
• As the dish cooks, toss the veggies with a pair of tongs, but leave the chicken alone for, about 5 - 6 minutes.
• Flip the chicken and continue to toss the veggies, until they soften, and begin to color, about an addition 5 - 7 minutes.
• Chef's Note: Because the pan is hot, remember to keep those veggies active, so they do not burn.
• Optional Item: To make a quick pan sauce, remove the veggies and chicken from the skillet, and keep warm. Add a bit of chicken stock and wine to deglaze the pan, and then add about two tablespoons of sweet butter, unsalted. Stir until reduced and slightly thickened. Yummy.
• Chef's Note: Do a final tasting for seasoning.
• PLATE/PRESENT
• Serve while still nice and hot, with some crusty bread. Enjoy.
• Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

QUICK GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Lightly coat each chicken breast with olive oil. Sprinkle each side of the chicken lightly with garlic powder, onion powder, chili powder, basil, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper; rub to coat evenly.
• Cook on the preheated grill until chicken is no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, 10 to 15 minutes, flipping each breast only once halfway through cooking time. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).