Zingy Chicken Salad With Sour Cream Recipes

POPCORN-FRIED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Put the popcorn, bread or breadcrumbs and paprika in a food processor and blend until finely chopped. Tip into a wide, shallow bowl. Whisk the egg in a second bowl, and mix the flour with some seasoning in a third bowl.
• Dip the chicken strips first into the seasoned flour, then into the egg mixture, and finally into the popcorn breadcrumbs - press the crumbs onto the chicken to help them stick. Continue until all the chicken pieces are coated, then chill for 30 mins, or up to 1 day. Mix together the ingredients for the dip in a small bowl.
• When ready to cook the chicken, heat enough oil to just cover the surface of a large frying pan. Once hot, cook the chicken pieces for 2-3 mins on each side (in batches so you don't overcrowd the pan) until golden and cooked through. Drain on kitchen paper. Serve warm with the dip on the side.

CHICKEN WITH SOUR CREAM

Steps:

• Fry the chicken on both sides until it starts to brown.
• Add the onion, the grated carrot and the water and let it cook for about 20 minutes or until all the liquid is absorbed.
• Add the sour cream and stir.
• Simmer for about 30 minutes.
• Add salt, pepper and the flour dissolved in milk.
• Cook for another 5 minutes and serve hot.

BEST CHICKEN SALAD

Steps:

• Choose a heavy pot or Dutch oven with a tightfitting lid. It should be large enough to hold the chicken snugly, but not much bigger. Fill pot about 2/3 full with cold water, but don't put the chicken in yet. Boil some extra water in a teakettle.
• Add scallions and peppercorns to water, cover and bring to a rolling boil. Turn off heat and slip chicken pieces into the hot water. If needed, add boiling water from the kettle to cover chicken with water by 2 inches. Replace the lid and let chicken rest in the hot water for about 2 hours. Do not turn the flame back on: The pot will retain enough heat to cook chicken thoroughly and safely. (To test, cut into 1 piece of chicken and check the meat near the bone. If it is still pink, return the pot to low heat, bring the water to a simmer and simmer 10 minutes more.)
• Lift chicken out of the pot. Remove and discard bones, skin and fat. Pat the meat dry with paper towels, then cut or shred into small bite-size pieces and transfer to a bowl. (Meanwhile, simmer cooking liquid until tasty, strain and refrigerate or freeze to use as chicken stock.)
• In a bowl, whisk together juice of 1/2 lemon, mayonnaise and sour cream. If using, whisk in mustard or brine. Taste and adjust the seasonings and thickness to your liking. Pour over chicken, scraping the bowl clean with a rubber spatula.
• Add celery, onion if using, nuts, herbs and salt and pepper. Toss gently but thoroughly. Refrigerate, covered, at least 4 hours. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed. Sprinkle with herbs before serving.

CRISPY SOUR CREAM AND ONION CHICKEN

Steps:

• Pat chicken dry, and season both sides with salt and pepper.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the sour cream, chives and 1 tablespoon onion powder. Season with salt and pepper. Add the chicken and turn to coat. (Chicken can sit in the marinade for up to 8 hours. Refrigerate, then let come to room temperature before cooking.)
• In a shallow bowl or lipped plate, stir together the panko and remaining 1 tablespoon onion powder; season with salt and pepper.
• Working one at a time, press the chicken breasts into the panko, using your fingers to pack the panko onto both sides of the chicken, and place on a large plate or a sheet pan.
• Line a plate with paper towels. Heat 1/8-inch canola oil in a large skillet over medium-high. Drop a piece of panko in: If it sizzles, the oil's ready. Add a chicken cutlet (or two, if they can fit comfortably), and cook until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to the paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt. Repeat with remaining chicken, adding and heating more oil as needed, and removing excess panko from the pan with a slotted spoon.
• Serve chicken with more chives and lemon wedges for squeezing.