Tag: chicken recipe

Give Boring Lunches a Big Boost

Lunch might not be the most exciting meal of the day, and conventional wisdom might not suggest it’s the most important meal. But that does not mean lunch has to be boring.

For those who tend to lean on sandwiches for their midday meals, straying from the sandwich norm can provide some variety and flavor. The following recipe for “Warm Tandoori Chicken Wraps” from Vicki Liley’s “Asian Wraps & Rolls” (Periplus) can make for a unique lunch for the whole family or even serve as an easily prepared dinner.

Warm Tandoori Chicken Wraps (Makes 6 wraps)

1/3 cup plain tandoori paste
2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup plain yogurt
Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
12 chicken tenderloin fillets or 3 skinless, boneless chicken breast fillets
2 carrots, peeled
1 English (hothouse) cucumber, halved and seeded
6 pieces naan
1 clove garlic, finely chopped

Leaves from 6 fresh mint sprigs, plus 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh mint

In a small bowl, combine tandoori paste, 2 tablespoons yogurt, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Put chicken in a baking dish. Pour tandoori mixture over and stir until chicken is coated. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.

Light a fire in a charcoal grill or heat a grill pan. Brush grill or pan lightly with oil. Cook chicken for 4 to 5 minutes on each side, or until juices run clear when pierced with a skewer. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut each tenderloin into 2 long strips (if using chicken breast fillets, slice each fillet into 4 long strips).

Using a vegetable peeler, cut carrot and cucumber into thin ribbons. To heat naan, follow instructions on packet. In a small bowl, stir 1/2 cup yogurt, garlic and chopped mint together.

Place naan on a work surface. Divide chicken, cucumber, carrot, and mint leaves among naan. Drizzle with yogurt mixture. Wrap the naan around filling and serve immediately.

A Tasty and Traditional Take on Chicken

Chicken can be served in various ways, and that versatility no doubt contributes to the popularity of poultry. Some people love their chicken fried, while others can’t get enough grilled chicken. Baking chicken may not be as popular as frying or grilling it, but baked chicken is no less delicious. For chicken lovers used to frying or grilling their favorite meals, the following recipe for “Home-Style Baked Chicken” from Laurie McNamara’s “Simply Scratch: 120 Wholesome Homemade Recipes Made Easy” (Avery) may just make you a baked chicken devotee.

Home-Style Baked Chicken

Serves 4 to 6

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

11/2 teaspoons Poultry Seasoning (see below)

1 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour

1/2 teaspoon paprika

4 to 5 pounds skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs and

drumsticks

Preheat the oven and a 9-by-13-inch metal roasting pan to 375 F. Place the olive oil and butter in the pan and place the pan in the oven on the lower rack.

In a small bowl, combine the poultry seasoning, salt and pepper. Set aside.

Place the flour in a resealable bag. Place a few pieces of the chicken in the flour at a time, seal, and shake to coat. Remove and vigorously shake off any excess flour. Place the flour-dusted chicken on a clean platter. Repeat with the remaining chicken pieces.

Remove the roasting pan from the oven and immediately arrange the chicken skin-side up in a single layer over the bottom of the pan and then sprinkle with some of the poultry seasoning blend and paprika. It should sizzle.

Place the hot pan back on the lower rack of the oven and bake for 20 minutes. Remove, baste by spooning the juices that have collected in the pan over each piece, and then sprinkle the chicken with the remaining poultry seasoning blend.

Return the pan to the oven and bake for 20 minutes more. Remove and baste one last time before moving the chicken to the middle rack and baking for 10 to 15 minutes more to further crisp the chicken skin.

Let rest for 5 to 8 minutes before serving.

Poultry Seasoning

Makes 3 tablespoons

3 teaspoons dried thyme

11/2 teaspoons dried marjoram

1 teaspoon dried rosemary

1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

2 teaspoons paprika

2 teaspoons ground sage

In a spice grinder or using a mortar and pestle, combine 2 teaspoons of the thyme, the marjoram and the rosemary. Blend until finely ground. Transfer to an airtight container and add the remaining 1 teaspoon thyme, the nutmeg, the paprika, and the sage. Store in a dry, dark place for up to 6 months.