You can never have too many chicken recipes! This delicious Thai-inspired dish is easy to make and perfect for a weeknight meal. The super flavorful peanut sauce is the star of the show here. If you like Thai food then you’ll love this recipe!

Don’t feel like pounding the chicken breasts? I ‘spose you could use chicken cutlets or chicken tenders instead, although they will take less time to cook so be careful not to overcook them. Serve with Thai-Style Cabbage Salad and steamed jasmine rice. Enjoy!

Chicken Breasts with Red Thai Curry Peanut Sauce
-recipe from Fine Cooking Magazine
 
2 Tbs. chopped fresh ginger
1 Tbs. chopped garlic
1/2 cup natural smooth peanut better, preferably at room temperature
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 Tbs. soy sauce
2 Tbs. mirin or granulated sugar
1-3/4 tsp. red Thai curry paste
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 1-1/2 lb. total), trimmed
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 Tbs. canola oil; more as needed
1/2 cup unsweetened coconut milk
3 Tbs. minced fresh cilantro

In a food processor, combine the ginger, garlic, peanut butter, rice vinegar, soy sauce, mirin (or sugar), 1-1/2 tsp. of the curry paste, and 3 Tbs. water. Process until smooth, about 30 seconds. Taste to check the heat level and add the remaining 1/4 tsp. curry paste if you like.

If the chicken breasts come with tenders, remove them and reserve them for another use. Between two sheets of plastic wrap, lightly pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness with a meat mallet, a heavy pan, or the side of a cleaver. Season the chicken all over with salt and pepper. Set a large, heavy skillet over medium-high heat and add the canola oil. When the oil is very hot, add two of the chicken breasts and cook until nicely browned, 3 to 4 min. Flip the chicken and continue to cook until it’s cooked through, another 3 to 4 min. Transfer the chicken to a platter. Repeat with the remaining chicken, adding 1 to 2 Tbs. more oil if the pan is dry.

Reduce the heat to low and add the coconut milk and 1/2 cup of the peanut sauce to the skillet. (Save the remaining sauce for another use). Stir to combine and heat through, about 2 min. Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro. Drizzle the sauce over the chicken and serve immediately.

Tags: Asian chicken, Chicken, Chicken breasts with Red Thai Curry Peanut Sauce, chicken recipe, chicken with peanut sauce, curry chicken, peanut sauce, Thai chicken, Thai curry chicken, thai curry peanut sauce

This delicious Mexican-inspired recipe has dinner on the table in no time: quick-cooking chicken cutlets are pan seared then finished in an easy sauce made from salsa verde (green salsa made with tomatillos) and sour cream (or creme fraiche). A tasty weeknight meal doesn’t get much easier than this!

If you can’t find chicken cutlets, just use regular ol’ chicken breasts (they’ll take longer to cook, though). I used Trader Joe’s Salsa Verde but you can use your favorite brand…or regular tomato-based salsa if you prefer it.

Perfect sides for this are Arroz Verde (green rice) and a salad tossed with Southwestern Vinaigrette. Yum!

Saucy Salsa Chicken
-recipe from Every Day with Rachael Ray Magazine

Makes 4 servings.

2 tablespoons olive oil
8 chicken cutlets (1 1/4 lbs.)
1 cup salsa verde
1/4 cup creme fraiche (or sour cream)
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
corn chips and lime wedges, for serving

Heat olive oil in large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken and cook until golden on both sides, 3 minutes; transfer to plate. Add salsa to skillet and cook, stirring, 2 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in creme fraiche. Return chicken to pan, cover and simmer over low heat, 3 minutes. Sprinkle with cilantro; serve with chips and lime.

Tags: Chicken, chicken cutlets, Mexican, salsa, salsa chicken, salsa verde, Southwestern, Trader Joe's, Trader Joe's salsa verde

This recipe for Chicken with Vinegar and Onions is a winner! It’s rich, savory and very delicious…definitely a company-worth dish! I loved the combination of tarragon and lightly caramelized onions with the chicken. Oh my, it’s good!

While this is not a quick cooking recipe, you could do some of the steps ahead of time (like sauteing the onions) if you wanted to serve it during the week. You can even make it a day or two ahead of time and reheat it. Not a fan of tarragon? You can use parsley or chives instead but I don’t think the dish would be as good. The tarragon isn’t overpowering. Serve with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes.

Chicken with Vinegar and Onions (Poulet au Vinaigre)
-recipe from Molly Stevens – Fine Cooking Magazine 

In my experience, a poultry sauté is one of the most overlooked techniques in French cooking. It’s easier than pan-frying and more elegant than a stew. A sauté refers to dredging a cut-up bird (usually a small chicken) in flour before cooking it in a deep skillet with either butter or olive oil and very little, if any, added liquid. As the chicken cooks, it simmers in its own juices mingled with the fat, creating a very concentrated, rich sauce. Most cooks add some aromatics (onions, leeks, or shallots) and a bit of wine or vinegar to balance the richness. Serves 4 to 6.

3 Tbs. unsalted butter
2 medium-small yellow onions, thinly sliced (about 2-1/2 cups)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
3 Tbs. Champagne vinegar (Delouis Fils, Reims Champagne Vinegar by Clovis, or La Marne are three good brands)
1 4-lb. chicken, cut into 8 pieces (or 2 bone-in, skin-on breasts and 4 bone-in, skin-on thighs)
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 Tbs. extra-virgin olive oil
1/2 cup dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Gris
2 tsp. chopped fresh tarragon leaves
2 Tbs. crème fraîche (or heavy cream)

In a 12-inch skillet, melt 2 Tbs. of the butter over medium heat. Add the onions, sprinkle with a couple of big pinches of salt and a few grinds of pepper, and stir to coat the onions. Cover, reduce the heat to medium low, and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are tender and lightly browned, about 20 min. Scrape them into a small bowl and set the skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 Tbs. of the vinegar and stir with a wooden spoon to dissolve any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Pour the vinegar into the onions and set the skillet aside.

If using chicken parts, cut each breast crosswise into two equal-size portions and trim any excess fat or skin from the thighs. Rinse and pat dry.

Spread the flour in a pie plate, and season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Set the skillet over medium-high heat and add the olive oil and the remaining 1 Tbs. butter. While the butter melts, dredge half of the seasoned chicken pieces in the flour, shaking off the excess. Set them skin side down in the skillet. Brown, turning once, until the skin is crisp and the chicken is evenly browned, 6 to 8 min. total. Lower the heat if the chicken or the drippings threaten to burn. Transfer the chicken pieces to a pan or platter and repeat with the remaining chicken.

When all the chicken is browned, pour off all of the fat. Return the skillet to medium-high heat, add the wine, and scrape the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon to dissolve the drippings. Add the remaining 2 Tbs. of vinegar, the sautéed onions, and 1 tsp. of the tarragon. Return the chicken pieces, skin side up, to the skillet, arranging them in a single snug layer. Partially cover, leaving a small gap for the steam to escape, and lower the heat to maintain a low simmer. Continue to simmer gently, turning every 10 min., until the chicken is tender and cooked through, about 30 minutes total.
Tip: Leave the lid of the skillet slightly ajar to let some steam escape during cooking. This concentrates the liquid for a more intense sauce, and it also ensures that the liquid doesn’t boil or simmer too hard, which would overcook the chicken.

Transfer the chicken to a platter. Increase the heat to a more rapid simmer, and stir in the crème fraîche (or cream); the sauce may appear broken at first, but it will come together. Taste for salt and pepper. Add the remaining 1 tsp. tarragon and spoon over the chicken to serve.

Serving Suggestions:  Steam small red or white potatoes until tender. Just before serving, sauté the potatoes in butter until browned and crispy.

Make Ahead Tips: This dish can be made a day or two ahead, but don’t add the last teaspoon of tarragon. Reheat gently in a covered baking dish in a 325°F oven for about 30 min., adding a few tablespoons of water or chicken broth if the chicken appears dry. Sprinkle with the tarragon and serve.

Drink Suggestions: The vinegar and crème fraîche elements in this dish call for a racy white wine with herbal elements. Sauvignon Blanc is a great choice; look for wines from the Sancerre or Pouilly- Fumé regions of France. The 2004 André Vatan Sancerre, $16, and the 2004 Henri Bourgeois Pouilly-Fumé, La Porte de l’Abbaye, $16, would be good bottles to try.

Tags: caramelized onions, Champagne vinegar, Chicken, Chicken with Vinegar & Onions, French cooking, French country cooking, Poulet au Vinaigre, tarragon

Not only is this recipe for Provencal Chicken with Vegetables easy enough for a weeknight meal, but it’s also delicious enough to serve to company. The flavorful chicken is rubbed with Dijon mustard and Herbes de Provence then roasted in the same pan as the vegetables. Serve with roasted potatoes or crusty bread.

P.S. As much as I love green olives, I didn’t have any on hand so they didn’t make it into the recipe. The meal was still a success! Enjoy!

Provencal Chicken with Vegetables
-recipe from Martha Stewart Everyday Food Magazine

Roasted chicken gets a stylish French makeover with herbs, carrots, and olives. Yield: Serves 4

1 pound carrots, peeled, halved crosswise then lengthwise (and quartered lengthwise if thick)
2 large onions, quartered, layers separated
1 tablespoon olive oil
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breast halves
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried Herbes de Provence or thyme
Coarse salt and ground pepper
1/2 cup pitted green olives
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 475 degrees, with rack in top position. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss carrots and onions with oil. Push vegetables to sides of sheet, and place chicken in center. Using your fingers, carefully loosen skin. In a small bowl, combine Dijon and Herbes de Provence. Spread mixture under skin. Season chicken and vegetables with salt and pepper.

Roast until an instant-read thermometer inserted in thickest part of chicken (avoiding bone) registers 165 degrees, 30 to 35 minutes, tossing vegetables once. Transfer chicken to a serving platter, and loosely tent with aluminum foil to keep warm.

Add olives to sheet with vegetables, and gently toss. Return to oven; roast until vegetables begin to brown and liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Remove sheet from oven; add parsley and lemon juice, and toss. Serve chicken alongside vegetables.

Tags: carrots, Chicken, chicken breasts, French, Herbes de Provence, Martha Stewart Everyday Food, onions, Provencal, roasted chicken, vegetables

This delicious, Southwestern-inspired chowder is hearty, slightly smoky, and a little spicy…perfect for a chilly Autumn evening!

I made a few changes to the recipe but nothing that drastically altered the final dish. Instead of a jalapeno chile, I used a little more chopped chipotle chile (which adds both heat and smoky flavor to the soup), a little poblano pepper, and I substituted canned diced tomatoes for the fresh. For the herbs, I either use parsley or cilantro — both are good. Serve with a green salad and cornbread and you’ve got a delicious meal!

Smoky Chicken Chowder
-adapted from Gourmet Magazine

Makes about 8 cups (or 6-8 servings).

3 medium onions, chopped (about 2 1/2 cups)
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 large russet (baking) potato
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
4 cups chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
3 plum tomatoes, seeded and cut into 1/4-inch dice (about 1 cup)
2 cups fresh or frozen corn
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaved parsley leaves
1 teaspon (or more to taste) canned chipotle chili in adobo sauce*, minced fine
1 1/2 whole boneless cooked chicken breasts**(about 1 pound), skin and fat removed and meat cut into 1/2-inch dice

*available at Hispanic markets and some specialty foods shops

In a 6-quart heavy kettle cook the onions in oil over moderate heat stirring, until softened. Peel and cut potato into 1/4-inch dice. To kettle add potato, garlic, and jalapeño and cook stirring, 1 minute. Stir in flour, and cook over moderately low heat, stirring 2 minutes. Whisk in 2 cups broth and heavy cream and bring to a boil stirring. Add tomatoes, corn, Monterey Jack, parsley, chipotle, and chicken and simmer, stirring occasionally and adding enough of remaining cup broth to thin soup to desired consistency, 20 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. Season soup with salt and pepper.

Tags: Chicken, chicken broth, chipotle chile, chowder, corn, cream, Monterey Jack cheese, soup, Southwestern

 
In honor of the first day of Autumn, here’s a good comfort food recipe for Braised Chicken with Mushrooms. This simple yet flavorful dish will definitely be making it onto my dinner table throughout the comfort food months! The medly of mushrooms and a little Madeira (or dry sherry) make a delicious, earthy sauce for the chicken. Mmmm, comfort food!

For the chicken, I used four skin-on, bone-in half breasts since the recipe didn’t specify boneless breasts. I was unable to find Madeira, a fortified Portuegese wine, so I substituted dry sherry. I didn’t think 1/4 cup would be enough but once the mushrooms release all their moisture, you have plenty of liquid for braising the chicken. I finished the dish with chopped parsley instead of tarragon (chopped fresh thyme or rosemary would also be a good substitution). I served the dish with baked potatoes (next time I’ll make mashed) and steamed veggies. Crusty bread is a must, too. Enjoy!

Braised Chicken with Mushrooms
-recipe adapted from Williams-Sonoma Food Made Fast: Simple Suppers (Food Made Fast) by Melanie Barnard

To complete the menu, serve with egg noodles or mashed potatoes and a green salad. This dish can be prepared up to 1 day ahead to allow time for the flavors to blend. Reheat, covered, on the stovetop over medium-low heat until warmed throughout.

4 chicken breast halves, 1 1/2 lb. total
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
3 Tbs. unsalted butter
1 small yellow onion, chopped
1 lb. wild and/or cultivated mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup Madeira or dry sherry
1 Tbs. Worcestershire sauce
1 Tbs. chopped fresh tarragon

Brown the chicken:
Season the chicken generously with salt and pepper. In a large fry pan over medium-high heat, melt 2 Tbs. of the butter. Add the chicken and cook, turning once or twice, until golden brown on both sides, about 8 minutes total. Transfer the chicken to a plate.

Cook the vegetables:
Melt the remaining 1 Tbs. butter in the pan over medium heat. Add the onion and sauté until barely softened, about 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms and sauté until their juices are released, about 5 minutes. Stir in the Madeira and Worcestershire sauce.

Braise the chicken:
Return the chicken and any juices from the plate to the pan and spoon the mushrooms over the chicken. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and braise the chicken until opaque throughout, 20 to 25 minutes. Stir in the tarragon and season with salt and pepper.

Divide the chicken among dinner plates, spoon the mushrooms over the chicken and serve immediately. Serves 4.

Tags: Autumn dinner, braised chicken, Chicken, Comfort Food, dry sherry, Madeira, mushrooms, wild mushrooms

I’m always on the look out for new grilling recipes. These Southwest Grilled Chicken and Avocado Melts are easy to make and perfect for the summer season. Serve with black beans, and a salad dressed with Southwestern Vinaigrette. Enjoy!

Southwest Grilled Chicken and Avocado Melts
-recipe from Sunset Magazine

Even within the same variety, chiles can vary greatly in heat. If you like yours mild, pull out the inner membrane when seeding them; that’s where a lot of the heat-producing capsaicin is concentrated.

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
4 Anaheim or poblano chiles
4 boned, skinned chicken breast halves (about 8 oz. each)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Lime wedges
1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced
1 cup shredded jack cheese

Prepare a grill for high heat (450° to 550°; you can hold your hand 5 in. above cooking grate only 2 to 4 seconds). Rub 1 tbsp. oil over chiles. Cook chiles, turning often, until skins are browned. Put chiles in a bowl, cover, and let cool. Seed chiles and rub off skins.

Meanwhile, rub remaining 1 tbsp. oil over chicken. Combine cumin, cayenne, and salt and sprinkle evenly over each breast. Grill chicken, turning once, until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes total.

Squeeze a little lime over chicken, then top each breast with a few avocado slices, a reserved chile, and about 1/4 cup cheese. Grill, covered, until cheese melts, about 4 minutes.

Tags: Anaheim chiles, Anaheim pepper, avocado, Chicken, grilling, jack cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, poblano chiles, poblano peppers, Southwest, Southwest Grilled Chicken and Avocado Melts

This recipe for pollo guisado is super easy and very tasty. The spicy, shredded chicken is a great filling for both tacos and enchiladas. Yum!

Because good tomatoes aren’t in season yet, I used 6 whole canned tomatoes which equaled the same amount of 3 medium fresh tomatoes. The recipe calls for 1/4 cup of chipotle in adobo sauce. This is the sauce that the chipotle peppers are packed in. Instead of scooping out the sauce, I used one whole chipotle pepper and pureed that with the tomatoes. The mixture was pretty spicy but still good. For a milder sauce, use less chipotle pepper or just use the adobo sauce like the recipe says. This recipe could easily be doubled or tripled to feed a crowd. Enjoy!

Pollo Guisado
-recipe from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives Cookbook by Guy Fieri
(adapted recipe from Maria’s Taco Xpress in Austin, TX)

The pollo guisado chicken is a little bit sweet, spicy, tender. It’s crazy good. Makes 4-6 servings.

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken thighs
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
3 medium tomatoes, diced
1/4 cup canned chipotle en adobo sauce
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 onion, diced
Serving suggestions: crisp taco shells, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and shredded Cheddar cheese.

Put the chicken in a saucepan with salted water to just cover. Bring to a simmer and cook until just cooked through, about 25 minutes. Let cool; shred the chicken.

Put the tomatoes, chipotle sauce, cumin, garlic powder, 3/4 teaspoon pepper, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1 cup water in a blender. Puree until smooth.

Heat the vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat, add the onion, and cook until the onion is golden, about 7 minutes. Add the chipotle mixture and bring to a simmer. Then add the chicken and simmer until the sauce thickens and the chicken is tender, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Serve the pollo guisado in crisp taco shells with lettuce, tomato, and cheese.

Tags: Chicken, chipotle en adobo sauce, enchiladas, pollo guisado, shredded chicken, tacos

This recipe for Pan-Roasted Chicken with Spinach and Smashed Potatoes is definitely comfort food. Plus, it’s a simple enough meal to pull together on a weeknight…you’ve got to love that! Husband was delighted when he walked in the door from work and was greeted with the wonderful fragrance of roast chicken.

I pretty much followed the recipe except for a few subtle changes. I chose to use a whole onion (quartered and some layers separated) instead of the shallots. Also, I used a different pan for the spinach so I could use the pan drippings from the chicken to make a simple gravy. I didn’t feel like messing with garlic so I didn’t add any to the spinach. If the lemony spinach sits too long then it starts to turn a funky greyish color so definitely wait until ready to serve before adding the lemon. For the smashed potatoes, I omitted the lemon zest and substituted good ol’ butter for the oil.  The taters were delicious and using potato cooking water in place of milk or cream is a genius way to get a healthier version of mashed potatoes. This was a great meal that I know I’ll be making again and again!

Pan-Roasted Chicken with Spinach and Smashed Potatoes
-recipe from Martha Steward Everyday Food Magazine
 
Serves 4.

1 1/2 pounds Yukon gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch pieces
4 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts (6 to 8 ounces each)
Coarse salt and ground pepper
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves
4 teaspoons olive oil
4 large shallots, quartered
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 pound spinach, trimmed and washed
Fresh lemon juice

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. In a medium saucepan, bring potatoes to a boil in salted water and cook until potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, 15 minutes.

Meanwhile, season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and thyme. In a large ovenproof skillet, heat 1 teaspoon of the olive oil over medium-high. Cook chicken, skin side down, until golden and crisp, 5 minutes. Flip, then add shallots; cook until chicken is browned, 5 minutes. Flip shallots, then transfer skillet to oven. Roast until chicken is cooked through, 15 minutes.

Reserve 3/4 cup cooking water from potatoes. Drain potatoes and return to pan. Add 2 teaspoons of the oil, the lemon zest, and reserved cooking water; season with salt and pepper and roughly mash.

Transfer chicken and shallots to a platter and heat skillet over medium. Add remaining 1 teaspoon oil and the garlic cloves, and stir until fragrant, 30 seconds. Gradually add spinach, and toss until wilted, 3 to 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt, pepper, and lemon juice. Serve chicken with shallots, potatoes, and spinach.

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Tags: Chicken, Comfort Food, smashed potatoes, spinach

Since we still have a few more prime grilling weeks left before the cooler weather of Autumn sets in, I thought I’d share this recipe for Grilled Buttermilk Chicken. The simple marinade not only tenderizes the meat but gives it a light lemon and dill flavor. Plan ahead so the chicken can marinate for at least a few hours. Serve with Green Bean, Red Onion and Roast Potato Salad with Rosemary Vinaigrette or Mediterranean Rice Salad. Enjoy!

Grilled Chicken Breasts with Buttermilk Marinade
-recipe from Martha Stewart.com

A shallow, nonreactive dish allows marinade to coat food evenly and is easy to transport to the grill. You can also use a large resealable plastic bag; if marinating meat in the refrigerator, rest the bag on a plate in case of leaks.

Serves 4.

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 6 ounces each
Buttermilk Marinade (recipe below)
Salt and pepper

Heat grill to medium; oil grates. Place chicken breasts in a shallow dish or resealable plastic bag. Add Buttermilk Marinade; turn to coat. Cover; marinate 30 minutes at room temperature — or up to overnight in the refrigerator — turning occasionally. (Bring to room temperature before grilling.)

Remove from marinade; season with salt and pepper. Grill until cooked through, 5 to 8 minutes per side.

Buttermilk Marinade
Instead of dill, try finely chopped chives. Or substitute limes for the lemons. Use with chicken, fish, or other seafood.

1/2 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons chopped garlic (3 cloves)

In small bowl, whisk together marinade ingredients. Makes enough for about 2 pounds of meat or fish.

Tags: buttermilk, Chicken, fresh dill, garlic, grilled, lemon