Crispy Skin Chicken Breasts With Warm Mushroom Salad Recipes

CRISPY-SKIN CHICKEN BREASTS WITH WARM MUSHROOM SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Season the chicken all over with salt, pepper, smoked paprika and the lemon zest.
• In a large cast-iron skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken to the skillet skin-side down. Lower the heat to medium and cook until the skin is browned and crisp, about 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken skin-side up to the prepared baking sheet. Bake until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the thickest part of one breast registers 155 degrees F, about 20 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate and let rest for 5 minutes. (The internal temperature will rise to about 165 degrees F during resting.)
• Meanwhile, in the same skillet, melt the butter with the rendered chicken fat over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Season the mushrooms with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large bowl and tent with foil.
• In a small bowl, whisk the vinegar, shallot, mustard, thyme and honey together. Gradually whisk in the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil; season the dressing with salt and pepper.
• Transfer the mushrooms to a serving bowl. Add half the dressing and mix well. Add the spinach and arugula and the remaining dressing and toss to coat. Transfer the salad and chicken to a platter. Serve with the lemon wedges.

CHICKEN WITH CREAMY MUSHROOM SAUCE

Steps:

• Split breast: Cut each breast in half horizontally to form 4 thin steaks in total.
• Dust with flour: Sprinkle each side with salt and pepper, then sprinkle with flour and use your fingers to spread it all over the surface.
• Cook chicken: Melt 15g butter in a large non-stick frying pan over medium high heat. Add chicken and cook each side for 2 1/2 minutes until golden brown and just cooked through. Remove from pan, cover and keep warm.
• Cook mushrooms: In the same frying pan, add remaining butter and increase heat to high. Add mushrooms and cook for 4 minutes, until starting to turn golden brown on the edges.
• Add garlic later: Then add garlic and a pinch of salt and pepper, and continue cooking for another minute until both garlic and mushrooms are golden.
• Deglaze skillet: Add white wine - it will bubble and be steamy! Cook for 30 seconds, scraping the bottom of the pan, until wine is mostly evaporated and the alcohol smell is gone.
• Make creamy sauce: Add chicken stock, cook vigorously for 1 minute so it mostly evaporates. Then add cream, lower heat to medium and simmer for 2 minutes until it reduces and thickens slightly.
• Add parmesan: Stir in parmesan, taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.
• Finish chicken in sauce: Return chicken to sauce for 30 seconds (to warm through slightly.) Garnish with chives and serve as-is in the pan, for people to help themselves (or transfer to serving platter, if you prefer). Alternatively, serve a portion of chicken onto each plate, spoon sauce over and garnish with more chives.
• Sides: Ideal served with mashed potato or rice - something to soak in that amazing sauce! See Note 5 for suggestions.