Roasted Chicken Breasts With Asparagus Cherry Tomatoes Goat Cheese And Basil Recipes

THE BEST ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Mix butter, garlic, thyme, rosemary, lemon zest, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper together in a bowl.
• Loosen skin on chicken breast; rub butter mixture between skin and breast meat. Press on the skin to distribute evenly. Rub oil, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper all over; place lemon halves inside cavity. Set in a baking pan.
• Roast in the preheated oven, basting after 30 minutes, until chicken is no longer pink, about 1 hour. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, near the bone, should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Let rest before carving, about 15 minutes.

CHICKEN WITH ASPARAGUS AND LEMON CRèME FRAîCHE SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/Gas 4.
• Heat half the butter and half the oil in a large, deep, ovenproof frying pan. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and fry, in batches if necessary, for 2 minutes on each side until golden-brown. Remove from the pan and set aside.
• Add the remaining butter and oil to the pan, tip in the shallots and fry over a high heat for 5-10 minutes or until lightly golden-brown.
• Put the flour in a bowl, whisk in 8 tablespoons of the stock and mix until smooth. Add to the pan and bring to the boil, then pour in the remaining stock. Add the lemon thyme and return the chicken to the pan.
• Cover with a lid and cook in the oven for about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
• Just before serving, trim the tip from each asparagus spear and slice the stem into short, even lengths. Cook the tips and sliced stems in boiling salted water for 2-3 minutes. Drain, reserving the tips for a garnish.
• Stir the lemon juice, crème fraîche and parsley into the pan with the chicken. Add the sliced asparagus stems and bring to the boil. Remove the chicken, slice each breast into three and arrange on a plate. Spoon over the sauce and arrange two asparagus tips in a cross over the top.

CHICKEN AND ASPARAGUS BUNDLES

Steps:

• Flatten chicken breasts to 1/2-inch. Wrap each around five asparagus spears; secure with toothpicks. Place in a 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Combine the oil, lemon juice and seasonings; pour over bundles. Cover asparagus tips with foil., Cover and bake at 350° for 15 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with the onions. Bake 12-15 minutes longer or until chicken is no longer pink and asparagus is crisp-tender. Remove bundles to a serving platter and keep warm., In a small saucepan, combine cornstarch and broth until smooth; stir in pan juices. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Remove toothpicks. Serve with sauce.

TUSCAN-STYLE ROASTED ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Place the asparagus, tomatoes and pine nuts on a foil-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Mix 2 tablespoons oil, garlic, salt and pepper; add to asparagus and toss to coat. , Bake 15-20 minutes or just until asparagus is tender. Drizzle with remaining oil and the lemon juice; sprinkle with cheese and lemon aest. Toss to combine.

ROASTED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Season chicken with salt and pepper. Transfer to a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part, without touching the bone, reads 165 degrees, 30 to 35 minutes.
• Transfer to a cutting board and rest, covered with foil, for 15 minutes before slicing.