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Tag Archives: European Chicken

Roasted Half Chicken and Soft Pears

Roasted Half Chicken and Warm Pears

As families, so many of us are tied to the same old dinners. The week is so packed with activities and work that it can be hard to get creative when it comes to making meals. This is especially true when it comes to basics like chicken. We just buy the same tired chicken breast, season it with the same herbs or sauces and bake.

My favorite way to spice it up in the kitchen is to pair ingredients that you may not see giong together well at first. Adding fruit as a major part of a savory meal is a great way to do this. Apples, Pears, Oranges and Prunes (yes, prunes) are some of my favorites.

For this particular recipe, the mild sweetness of the pear was the perfect thing to offset the savory spiciness of the Chili Mustard marinade.

Preheat oven to 350 and pat chicken dry. Season Chicken with Salt and Pepper. In a bowl, mix together Mustard, Olive Oil, Chili Sauce and Rosemary. Toss with Chicken Halves and allow to marinate for 30 minutes to overnight.

Chicken Half in Mustard Chili Sauce

Heat a pan over medium high heat. Sear Chicken for 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to greased shallow baking dish and oven roast for 30 minutes, basting occasionally.

While chicken is in the oven, lightly saute pear slices, until just warm. Arrange in a fan on plate and serve with chicken.

Roasted Half Chicken with Anjou Pears

 

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European Chicken Casserole: Sober and Broke Chicken

Sober and Broke Chicken

When food blogging or “flogging” (ok, no one calls it that), it can be easy to get stuck on one particular ingredient or type of food. For instance, when you are feeling snacky…you may follow up a post about Ramen Noodles with a post about Taco Dip. Just sayin’…

Every once in a while though, preparing a meal that represents multiple food groups and is actually somewhat balanced, is the prudent thing to do. I tried to get my Julie and Julia on the other night and found that, similar to the movie, when you try to emulate someone as great as Julia, anything and everything can and will go wrong – like my oven breaking.

The meal, despite several mishaps, misfires and bouts of creative engineering, tasted and even looked pretty delicious. The recipe wasn’t followed, the oven didn’t work and patience wore thin, but in the end it was worth it. What began as an attempt to make classic Coq Au Vin, ended with the discovery of a new favorite recipe – Sober and Broke Chicken.

Sober because I didn’t have the suggested wine necessary for Coq Au Vin. Broke because while most of the herbs are the same, I used veggies that were already in the house rather than grabbing Pearl Onions and Button Mushrooms (honestly France, we get it…you’re fancy).

Sober and Broke Chicken

3 Cups Water
4 Bouillon Cubes
3 Assorted Bell Peppers, Thick Sliced
1 Red Onion, Thick Sliced
10 Large White Mushrooms, Quartered
20 Baby Carrots
1/2 lb Fingerling Potatoes, Quartered
4 Semi-Boneless European Chicken Halves
Olive Oil, to coat
Whole Wheat Flour, to coat
Salt and Pepper, to taste
1 Tbsp Butter
8 Sprigs Fresh Thyme, Diced Leaves Only
2 Sprigs Fresh Sage, Diced Leaves Only
2 Sprigs Fresh Rosemary, Diced Leaves Only
1 Tbsp Fresh Garlic, Minced

Preheat Oven to 375°

Fresh Veggies and Herbs

In a large pot, bring Water to a boil and dissolve Bouillon Cubes. Add Bell Peppers, Red Onion, Mushrooms, Carrots, Potatoes.Reduce to simmer, stirring occasionally. (Whisk in 2 Tbsp Flour or Corn Starch to thicken broth as desired)

Pan Sear Chicken

Cut Chicken Halves; separating the wing from the thigh. Lightly rub Chicken with Olive Oil and Toss in Whole Wheat Flour, Salt and Pepper – shaking off excess. Heat a large saute pan over medium high heat. Melt butter, evenly coating the pan. Pan Sear Chicken for 2 minutes per side.

Sober and Broke Chicken Casserole

Place Chicken in an oven safe casserole dish. Pour Vegetables and Broth over and around the Chicken. Bake for 30-35 minutes, spooning broth over dish occasionally.

It's not Coq Au Vin...but it's Delicious!!

 
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Posted by on September 28, 2011 in Chicken & Turkey Recipes, Dinner, Recipes

 

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