Tag: Chicken

Poultry

Low calorie roasted chicken with fresh (or dried) figs and Kalamata olives

Belinda

This is a low calorie high flavor dish that will become a favorite. If you don’t have fresh figs then use dried figs, apricot or prunes.
With the fat dramatically reduced, you will want to serve this often

Serves 2

3 chicken breast halves, on the bone, skin removed
1/4 cup finely minced garlic
1/4 cup low-fat chicken broth
1 tbsp dried oregano
1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp pitted Kalamata olives, 6 to 8 olives
2 tbsp capers with a little juice
3 bay leaves
3 tbsp light brown sugar
1/2 cup dry white wine
3/4 cu fresh figs, cut into halves or 1/2 cup dried figs, apricots or prunes

In a large bowl, combine the chicken, garlic, broth, oregano, pepper, vinegar, olives, capers with juice and bay leaves.
(If using dried fruit, add them now)
Cover, refrigerate and marinate overnight or for at least 8 hours

Preheat the oven to 350 F

Arrange the chicken in a shallow baking dish and cover with the marinade. Sprinkle with brown sugar and pour the wine around the chicken pieces.
Bake for about 1 hour, basting every 10 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through.
After 15 minutes of cooking add the fresh figs.
Remove and discard the bay leaves.
Garnish each serving with sauce, olives and figs and serve immediately.

Only 300 Calories per serving too

 

Poultry · Whole30 compliant

Easy garlic roast chicken pieces with rosemary and lemon

Belinda

This is a really lovely dish to serve with my lemon-dill rice and the combination of flavors complement each other very well.

Serves 4 and takes about 30 minutes to cook

2 1/2lbs boneless chicken pieces, whether thigh or breast, cut into large chunks
6 to 8 cloves garlic, crushed
3 tbsp fresh rosemary leaves, stripped from the stems and coarsely chopped   (You can also use fresh oregano instead of rosemary)
1 lemon, zested and juiced
1 tbsp grill seasoning blend  (I use Montreal Seasoning, but you can just use coarse salt and pepper)
1/2 cup dry white wine or chicken broth

Preheat the oven to 450 F

Arrange the chicken in a shallow baking dish, about 9” by 13”.
Add the garlic, oil, lemon zest and grill seasoning or salt and pepper to the dish.
Toss and coat the chicken with all these ingredients, then place in the oven.
Roast for about 20 minutes.
Add the wine and lemon juice to the dish and combine with the pan juices.
Return to the oven and turn the oven off and leaving the chicken in the oven for another 10 minutes or so before removing from the oven and serving.

Serve with my lemon-dill rice, spooning the pan juices over the chicken.

Accompaniments · Do-ahead · Fish · Gluten Free · Sauces

Tangy and fresh lime and caper vinaigrette to have with fish or chicken.

Belinda

This is a wonderful and versatile vinaigrette to serve with fish or chicken.
It’s divine paired with my “Light and zesty lemon dill rice” recipe. (in the RICE folder)
Thank you Delia Smith!

Juice and zest of 1 good sized juicy lime
1 heaped tbsp capers, drained
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 heaped tsp good grain mustard
1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro (coriander)
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper

To garnish

A few sprigs of fresh cilantro

Prepare the dressing by simply whisking all the ingredients together in a small mixing bowl.

Warm it through a little in a saucepan (to take off the chill) and tip over a nice piece of sauteed or poached fish, chicken or halloumi cheese
Top with the garnish of cilantro sprigs.
Serve with my lemon dill rice and you have a really light, stunning meal.

Asian flavors · Gluten Free · Poultry

Tandoori chicken bites with a yoghurt lime-mint dipping sauce

Belinda

Lovely, simple and light. A good, low calorie appetizer from a fellow blogger

2 lbs chicken breast or thigh cut into bite sized pieces

Marinade
1/3 cup plain Greek yoghurt
1 tbsp Garam Masala powder
1 tbsp paprika
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
2 tsp grated fresh ginger
3 cloves garlic, crushed
salt and black pepper

Yoghurt lime-mint dipping sauce

1 cup plain Greek yoghurt
1 small handful fresh mint, chopped
1/2 tsp ground cumin (I roast my own before grinding)
Juice of half a lime or a full lime if it’s not too juicy
1 clove garlic crushed
salt to taste

Mix all sauce ingredients together, stir well and allow to chill for a few minutes before serving.

Marinate the chicken with the yoghurt and spices for about 6 to 8 hours in the fridge, but bring it back to room temperature (sit out on the counter about 30 to 45 minutes) before cooking.

Place chicken bites onto a foil lined baking sheet sprayed with oil.

Set the oven to broil and broil for about 8 minutes per side until fully cooked. (165 F internal temperature)

Serve with the sauce and enjoy!

 

Poultry

Chicken “Gloria”

Belinda

There is something about this dish. I always hesitate before putting recipes on my blog with any form of tinned soup in them, but this is just way too good not to and it’s “gloriously” delicious and comforting.

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and filleted in half lengthways
1/3 cup flour
2 tbsp butter
3 tbsp vegetable oil
1 8oz container of fresh sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup sherry
1 small can condensed cream of mushroom soup
1/2 cup whole milk
6 slices of Muenster cheese
3 tbsp chopped fresh italian parsley
salt and pepper

Preheat the oven to 350 F

Season the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides, dredge lightly in flour to coat both sisdes. Shake off the excess.
Add oil to a frying pan and brown the chicken in batches on both sides. You don’t need to cook the chicken completely. It will finish cooking in the oven.
Transfer the chicken to a 9 x 13 inch baking dish.

Add the butter to the frying pan and let it melt over medium high heat. Add the mushrooms, season with salt and pepper and brown them until golden. Then add the sherry and cook for another minutes or two.
Add the creamy mushroom soup and milk and mix well.

Pour the sauce over the chicken breasts, cover with foil and bake in the oven for about 30 minutes.
Remove from the oven and top each piece of chicken with one slice of Muenster cheese. You can fold the cheese in half if it is too wide for the breast.

Place the chicken back in the oven, uncovered and broil for 1 to 2 minutes to brown the cheese.
Remove from the oven, top with the chopped fresh parsley and serve.

Dairy-free · Meat · Poultry

Chicken, sausage and whatever you have in the fridge traybake.

Belinda

This is the most simple, stunning dish you can have in your repertoire. You can throw it together in minutes and let it roast and caramelize for about 45 minutes and your whole meal is on one roasting dish.

All you need is a very large bowl, at least 16” diameter (great to have anyway) and a large shallow baking tray, minimum 16” x 12” x 1”

The other day I was working and we only had 1 hour before needing to be downtown for a concert.
I took out my large bowl and started to throw stuff into it, tossed it all in olive oil and fresh herbs, some salt and pepper and spices and threw it all onto the baking tray, tossed it in the oven and 45 minutes later, we had a really stunning meal.

You can vary the meat and vegetables according to what you have in your imagination/fridge

Serves 4

Preheat the oven to 350 F

1 lb organic boneless, skinless chicken thigh, each cut into 3 chunks (Don’t use breast, as it gets too dry)
1lb of sausage you like, chorizo, Sweet Italian, Spicy Italian, cut into 1 inch pieces
2 large onions, red or white, cut into 1 inch chunks
As many cloves of garlic as you want, peeled, and half of them crushed and half of them left whole
A yellow, red and/or orange pepper, cut into 1 inch chunks
1 lb cherry tomatoes, some halved, the others left whole
3 zucchini, cut into 1 inch chunks
1 eggplant, cut into 1 inch chunks
8 oz baby crimini mushrooms,
8 oz Brussel sprouts, halved
1/2 butternut squash, or 2 cups in 1” cubes
Very small potatoes, or cut up ones, as they need to cook till tender

Throw all this into the large bowl and toss together with;

1 tsp paprika, sweet, hot or smoked, depending on your preference
2 good handfuls fresh basil, torn
A good amount of Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 tsp dried oregano, or any other herb you fancy
Some dried chile, if you like a kick
Liberally glug in some really good olive oil, at least 1/4 cup

Mix it all together well so everything is well coated and then tip everything out onto the large roasting tray. Shake till it’s evenly distributed, then put into the oven until it’s starting to get browned and beginning to singe at the edges.
Remove from the oven, taste and re-season.

* Some crumbled feta or blue cheese can also go over everything in the last 15 minutes of cooking

You will start playing around with the flavors and ingredients, trying different combinations, vegetarian, more meat, less vegetables….  The worlds your oyster on this dish!

 

Do-ahead · Holiday Food · Meat · Poultry

Thanksgiving/Christmas meat loaf

Belinda

The whole array of Thanksgiving flavors in one dish! It’s a lot of fun to eat.

2 lbs ground dark turkey (preferably organic)
2 boxes of your favorite stuffing mix
1 can jellied cranberry sauce
1 tbsp poultry seasoning
2 large cloves garlic, finely minced or grated
2 large eggs
1 tbsp grain mustard
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 tsp red chile flakes
2 cups hot chicken broth

Preheat the oven to 400 F

In a heatproof bowl, add the two boxes of stuffing mix, poultry seasoning, mustard, garlic and chile flakes.
Pour the two cups of hot broth over the stuffing and mix well to soften.
Then mix together the 2 lbs ground turkey, salt and pepper and 2 eggs. Mix both the stuffing and meat mixture together.

Take more than half the meat loaf mixture and start to construct your meatloaf in the middle of a lined shallow baking dish. Flatten it out a bit then lay slices of the cranberry sauce down the middle of the meat mixture. Top with the remaining meat mixture making sure the cranberry sauce in completely surrounded all round with the meatloaf mixture.

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes or until fully cooked.

Slice and serve with gravy.




Do-ahead · Gluten Free · Poultry · Soup · Whole30 compliant

Uncomplicated golden overnight chicken/turkey stock in your slow cooker

Belinda

I want to shout this recipe out loud because it makes the world’s best stock while you’re sleeping, it’s SO effortless and with only 4 few ingredients. I can hear you say, “What about the carrots, celery, thyme….?”  You really don’t need them! Try this recipe as is first, is all I am saying and you will realize it’s all you need.

In preparation for Thanksgiving or Christmas (and any other times you want the very best quality chicken or turkey stock), we woke up this morning to the beautifully pervading smell of turkey broth cooking in the slow cooker.
I’m getting ahead of the game by making the turkey stock for the gravy, and having made this recipe once, I swear there is no other stock recipe you will need.
It is so easy and with so few ingredients. Go to your local supermarket (I went to Wholefoods) and ask for 3lbs of their wings, that is all.
It’s a rich, golden, strongly flavored stock and usable in so many ways.
It would be the most divine broth just to have neat, especially if you’re under the weather and it will make the most wonderful gravy.
If you don’t have a slow cooker, go out and buy yourself one, (preferably 5 quart size or more) even if it’s just for this recipe. They are very inexpensive and well worth it.

Makes 3 quarts

4 lbs uncooked chicken or turkey wings
3 quarts water
1 large onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, crushed
1 tbsp salt, or more to taste

Place all the ingredients in your slow cooker.
Cook on LOW for 8 to 10 hours (I did mine overnight) or HIGH for 4 to 5 hours.
Strain out the chicken/turkey parts, onion and garlic.
I put a large colander lined with kitchen towel over a large bowl and emptied everything into that and waited for 20 minutes until every drop had been strained through the towel, then threw all solids away.
The stock is now ready for use, or you might like to refrigerate it overnight and skim off the small amount of fat the next morning, freezing it for when you roast those potatoes!
Once defatted, you can use or freeze the broth for later use.
It’s as simple as that!

 
Nuts · Poultry

Roasted chicken pieces with saffron, hazelnuts and honey

Belinda

This is easy to make, and is loosely based on the flavors of Marrakech. It looks stunning on a platter served at the table and has a very delicate and exotic flavor.
Serve with plain rice or couscous.

Serves 4

4lbs chicken legs or chicken pieces
2 large onions, roughly chopped
5 tbsp olive oil
1 good tsp ground ginger
1 good tsp ground cinnamon
a generous pinch of saffron threads
Juice of 1 large lemon
4 -5 tbsp cold chicken broth
2 tsp coarse sea salt
1 tsp ground black pepper
4 ounces unskinned hazelnuts
1/4 cup honey
2 tbsp rosewater
3 scallions, roughly chopped

In a large bowl, mix the chicken pieces with the onions, olive oil, ginger, cinnamon, saffron, lemon juice, chicken broth, salt and pepper.
Leave to marinate for at least an hour or overnight in the fridge, preferably.

Preheat the oven to 375F
Spread the hazelnuts out on an oven tray and roast for 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Chop roughly and set aside.

Transfer the chicken and marinade to a roasting tray large enough to accommodate everything comfortably. Arrange the chicken pieces skin side up and put the tray in the oven for about 35 minutes.

While the chicken is roasting, mix the honey, rosewater and nuts together to make a rough paste.
Remove the chicken from the oven, spoon a generous amount of nut paste on to each piece and spread it to cover.
Return to the oven for 5 to 10 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through and the nuts are golden brown.

Transfer the chicken to a serving dish and garnish with the chopped scallions.

 

Poultry

Creamy chicken with butternut squash and porcini

Belinda

Such rich, earthy flavors with tender moist chicken and a creamy, smooth sauce.
This can be prepared the day before then popped back in the oven to heat through before your guests arrive.

Serves 4

1/2 oz pack of dried porcini mushrooms
3 1/2 lbs whole organic chicken legs or thighs (I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs which worked well)
1 lemon, halved
2 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp butter
1 small onion , finely chopped
10 oz butternut squash, peeled, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch cubes
4 oz chestnut mushrooms, roughly chopped
10 fl oz carton heavy cream

Soak the porcini mushrooms in 1/2 pint of hot water for 30 mins.
Skin the chicken (if it isn’t already) and rub the cut side of the lemon over them.
Heat the oil in a heavy pan, large enough to hold all the chicken in one layer
Add the chicken and brown on both sides. Transfer to a heavy casserole dish with a lid.

Heat the oven to 350 F
Melt the butter in a medium pan. When it stops foaming, add the onion and 1 tsp salt, then saute until pale gold.

Meanwhile, remove the porcini from the water (saving the water) and rinse well. Pat dry and chop small. Strain the water through a sieve, stopping before the last spoonful.

Add the porcini and butternut squash pieces to the onion and saute for 5 minutes.
Add the fresh mushrooms and cook for 5 minutes more, stirring frequently.
Stir in the cream, 4 – 5 tbsp of the porcini water and seasoning if you wish.
Simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes until slightly reduced, then pour over the chicken.

Cover and cook in the oven for 30 to 40 minutes, turning the chicken once or twice and adding a few spoonfuls of water or chicken broth if the sauce becomes a little dry.