Simple Chicken Stock

This is a simple process that produces both chicken stock and cooked chicken that can be used a thousand ways.

• 4 Chicken Breasts, Bone-In
• 2 Large Carrots cut in to chunks
• 2 Ribs Celery cut in to chunks
• 1 Small Onion cut in to chunks
• 2 Bay Leaves
• 2 Tbs. Coarse Salt
• 1 Tbs. Coarse Black Pepper

Place chicken breasts, vegetables and seasoning in a stock pot. Cover with cold water (7 to 8 Cups). Place over high heat and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer for 45 minutes to an hour.

Remove chicken and set aside to cool.

Stain broth into a separate container and refrigerate to cool.

Remove skin and bone from chicken breasts and shred the meat.

When broth has cooled completely skim the fat from the surface.

This should yield approximately 4 to 5 cups of cooked chicken and 6 to 7 cups of stock.

Both stock and chicken can be used immediately or frozen for up to 4 months.

Lemon Mushroom Sauce

We had friends for dinner this weekend. I served this chicken with a sauce similar to this.

Mix ¾ C. chicken broth and ¾ C. white wine. Add a spoonful of cornstarch, whisk and set aside. Clean and slice ½ pound white mushrooms. Melt butter with some EVOO in a sauce pan. Add white ends of one bunch of scallions (diced) and saute. Add the mushrooms and continue cooking. When they begin to release their liquid season with salt, pepper and a pinch of tarragon. Add wine and broth, whisk well, and simmer for twenty minutes. Add zest and juice of one lemon. Taste for additional seasoning and serve over chicken.

Citrus Grilled Chicken

Monday Dinner

• Citrus Grilled Chicken
• Grilled Pineapple
• Basmati Rice
• Salad

1/2 C. Orange Juice
1/3 C. Vegetable Oil
2 Big Spoonfuls Orange Marmalade
1 Big Spoonful Soy Sauce
1 Big Spoonful Grated Ginger
Couple grinds Black Pepper

I mixed the above and marinated about a pound and a half of chicken tenders for about six hours. I grilled them six minutes per side.

I took large slices of fresh pineapple and threaded them on skewers. I brushed them lightly with olive oil and threw them on the grill when I turned the chicken. I turned once, so three minutes per side.

Served both over rice with a salad. Great way to christen our new patio furniture!

Thai Chicken and Noodles

Peanut butter

Lime Juice

Sugar

Peanut Oil

Red Curry Paste

Cilantro

Grillin'

The weather was beautiful Sunday, perfect for grilling. I have several go to marinades. I used the lemon tarragon last night and it was delicious as always.

Lemon Tarragon Marinade
Equal parts: Lemon Juice, Oil, White Wine
(I was grilling two whole boneless, skinless breasts so I did 1/3 C. each)
Salt and Pepper
Garlic
Tarragon (I'm still doing dry as my herbs are not in yet.)

Mix all the ingredients in a glass dish or large Zip-Lock bag. Marinade chicken for 6 to 8 hours. My grill was at 450 degrees and I did seven minutes per side. Very juicy, tender chicken.

I tried a new side dish I thought would be good and it turned out awesome!

Lemon Orzo
1C. Orzo
Juice and zest of one large Lemon (I’m guessing 1/4 cupish)
Salt and Pepper
2 Tbs. Olive Oil
Handful Toasted Pine Nuts
Handful Shredded Asiago Cheese

Zest, then juice, the lemon. Add salt and pepper. Whisk in olive oil.
I toasted my pine nuts on a sheet in my toaster oven. Mixed cooked pasta with he lemon and added the pine nuts and cheese. It was a great compliment to the chicken and will definitely be added to the rotation.

Counrty French Chicken

I love my slow cooker. Coming home from work and having dinner 95% done is heavenly. An added perk is the fact that you can get by with far less oil/butter than traditional recipes. Ocassionally i take dish I do on the stove top and try to convert it to a slow cook recipe. I had tremendous success with a chicken meal I hope you'll like.

• 1 ½ lbs. Boneless Skinless Chicken
• 2 Carrots
• ½ lb. Crimini Mushrooms
• ½ Onion
• 2 Cans Diced Tomatoes
• ½ Cup Red Wine
• 2 Tbs. Dried Tarragon
• Salt and pepper

Slice and dice veggies and put them on the bottom of the slow cooker. Chicken next; cut inot chuncks and season with salt and pepper. Drain the tomatoes and pour over chicken. Mix tarragon with wine and pour over all. Cover and cook on low 8 hours.

I served this in bowls over egg noodles. Enjoy!

Spicy Chicken with Penne

Yes, I am a terrible, neglectful person. Who is not keeping up with things over here. But who vows to do better. Starting with what I made for dinner last night, and it was really good!

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs
• Canned Diced Tomatoes
• Garlic
• Onion
• Cumin
• Red Pepper flakes
• Salt and Pepper
• Lime Juice

I took about a pound and a half of chicken thighs and cut them in large chunks. I squeezed two limes over the chicken pieces and set aside.

I got water going for the penne pasta and sauteed some onion and garlic in EVOO. I seasoned the chicken with salt and pepper and threw it in the pan with the onion and garlic. When the chicken browned I added two cans of diced tomatoes (with the liquid drained). I threw in about two teaspoons of cumin and a teaspoon of red pepper flakes. Simmered until chicken was cooked through and sauce had thickened (maybe 15 minutes?).

I topped the cooked pasta with the chicken/sauce and topped THAT with a Kraft cheese blend of Colby Jack and Cheddar with jalapenos. The only thing that could have made this better was if I'd had some fresh cilantro to sprinkle over the the top.

Now go cook!