Poultry Essentials Pan Grilled Chicken Breast Recipes

THE BEST GRILLED CHICKEN

Steps:

• One at a time, place the chicken breasts in a 1-gallon zip-lock bag; using a meat mallet, pound to an even ½-inch thickness.
• Mix all of the ingredients except for the chicken together in a 1-gallon zip-lock bag (go ahead and use the same one you used for pounding if it is still in good shape). Add the chicken breasts to the bag and massage the marinade into the meat until evenly coated. Seal the bag and place in a bowl in the refrigerator (the bowl protects against leakage); let the chicken marinate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Preheat the grill to high heat and oil the grates. Place the chicken breasts on the grill and cook, covered, for 2 to 3 minutes per side. Do not overcook. Transfer the chicken to a platter and serve.

GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board (leave several inches between them and work in batches as needed). Cover with plastic wrap to keep things tidy, and with a meat mallet, rolling pin, or your fist, pound the chicken to an even thickness. It doesn't need to be ultra thin-just make sure the middle is fairly even with the ends (the chicken should be about 1/2-inch thick).
• With a fork, poke holes all over the chicken (this will allow the marinade to absorb).
• In a large ziptop bag, combine the marinade ingredients, then add the chicken.
• Seal the bag to evenly coat the chicken with the marinade. Place in a pan or bowl to catch any drips. Let the chicken marinate at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, or refrigerate it to marinate for up to 12 hours (5 to 6 hours is ideal). Even 15 minutes is better than nothing!
• When ready to grill, preheat the grill to high (475 degrees F). If your chicken has been in the refrigerator, remove it and allow it to come to room temperature for at least 10 minutes. Clean and oil the grates.
• Place the chicken on the grill presentation (smooth) side down, shaking off any excess marinade. Cover the grill and let cook for 4 to 5 minutes on the first side, then flip. The chicken should lift easily off the grill; if it sticks, allow it to cook another minute or two.
• Recover the grill and cook for an additional 4 to 8 minutes. Chicken is considered done at 165 degrees F. I like to remove chicken from the grill around the 155-160 degree F mark and allow it to finish cooking while resting. DO NOT OVERCOOK, or your chicken will be dry.
• Place the chicken on a plate and let rest for at least 5 minutes (resting is mandatory!). Add any desired toppings or sauces. Enjoy!

POULTRY ESSENTIALS: PAN-FRIED CHICKEN W/TOMATOES

Steps:

• PREP/PREPARE
• To make this recipe, you will need a skillet large enough to hold all of the ingredients.
• I think we all have a bunch of fresh and frozen veggies lurking about our kitchens... Use what you have on hand. Chicken is versatile on what veggies it pairs with, so have fun.
• Two of my lockdown houseguests wanted breading; two did not. So, in the photos you will see images of a pan with breaded chicken, and some shots without the breading. This was not done intentionally; my housekeeper's daughter was taking the photos and switched from pan-to-pan. FYI: If you are not going to use the breading, the only change to the recipe is to leave out the flour.
• Do not have any cherry or grape tomatoes, no worries, just cut up a regular large one. Do not have a regular large one... just use about 8 ounces of canned tomatoes.
• Gather your ingredients (mise en place).
• Sprinkle the chicken with some salt and pepper, then dust with the flour (if using).
• Add the oil to a large skillet over medium heat, and then toss in the chicken breasts.
• Cook, turning them over every three-to-four minutes, until the internal temperature reaches 160f (71c), about 12 - 15 minutes.
• The recommended temperature for chicken breasts is 165f (74c). Once they reach 160f (71c), and are removed from the pan, they will continue cooking, and the internal temp will raise an additional few degrees. By the time they go back in the pan, they will wind up at a fully cooked temp. FYI: The process of something continuing to cook after being removed from the heat is called, "carryover" cooking.
• Remove from the pan, and reserve.
• With the pan still at medium heat, add the tomatoes, cut side down, and the olives.
• If you chose to flour the chicken, you might need to add an additional tablespoon of oil to the pan... Flour absorbs oil.
• Cook until the tomatoes begin to soften, about 3 - 5 minutes, then add the garlic, and cook an additional minute.
• Add the wine, and simmer for 2 minutes; while scraping the bottom of the skillet for fonds.Add the chicken stock, mix to combine, and then add the chicken back to the skillet.
• Simmer for about 2 minutes.
• Add the veggies, and continue to simmer until they are cooked, about 2 - 3 minutes.
• Brighten it up with a bit of lemon juice, and taste for proper seasoning.
• PLATE/PRESENT
• Add the veggies to a plate, slice up the chicken and lay on top, and serve. Enjoy.
• Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

POULTRY ESSENTIALS: PAN GRILLED CHICKEN BREAST

Steps:

• PREP/PREPARE
• Essential Equipment: A cast-iron grill pan works great for this recipe (that is what I am using). If you do not have one you could use a regular cast-iron skillet. If you do not have a regular cast-iron skillet, a regular skillet will work, but do not use a non-stick skillet. A non-stick skillet will not give you the browning that gives this dish its flavor.
• To brine, or not to brine. That is the question: For example, if you are braising the chicken in a slowly-simmering sauce, then brining is not necessary. However, with chicken in a hot skillet, it can make a big, tasty difference. So, if you have a bit of time, place the chicken breast into about a quart of water with 2 tablespoons of salt, and maybe a teaspoon of sugar, and place into the fridge for about 1 or 2 hours, no longer.
• Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
• Sprinkle a generous amount of salt, and white pepper to both sides of the chicken.
• Place the butter and oil into a skillet over medium-high heat.
• When the butter has melted, add the chicken, and veggies to the hot skillet, and sprinkle the veggies with a bit of salt.
• As the dish cooks, toss the veggies with a pair of tongs, but leave the chicken alone for, about 5 - 6 minutes.
• Flip the chicken and continue to toss the veggies, until they soften, and begin to color, about an addition 5 - 7 minutes.
• Chef's Note: Because the pan is hot, remember to keep those veggies active, so they do not burn.
• Optional Item: To make a quick pan sauce, remove the veggies and chicken from the skillet, and keep warm. Add a bit of chicken stock and wine to deglaze the pan, and then add about two tablespoons of sweet butter, unsalted. Stir until reduced and slightly thickened. Yummy.
• Chef's Note: Do a final tasting for seasoning.
• PLATE/PRESENT
• Serve while still nice and hot, with some crusty bread. Enjoy.
• Keep the faith, and keep cooking.

CUMIN GRILLED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Spray a grill or grill pan with cooking spray and heat to medium-high heat. Rub chicken breasts with olive oil. Combine cumin, salt and pepper and rub spice mixture evenly onto chicken breasts. Grill until grill marks have formed and chicken is cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove from heat, let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into 1/2-inch thick slices. Serve over coleslaw, if desired.
• Excellent source of: Protein, Niacin, Vitamin B6, Phosphorus, Selenium

PAN-ROASTED CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper.
• Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it starts to shimmer. Place chicken breasts in skillet skin side down. Sprinkle with fresh herbs. Do not disturb the breasts until the skin side sears, 5 or 6 minutes. Turn chicken.
• Cook until internal temperature reaches 150 degrees F, about 5 minutes. Add vinegar and butter to pan with chicken. Shake pan gently until butter melts and internal temperature of chicken reaches 160 to 165 degrees F, 2 to 3 minutes more. Add a splash of chicken broth or water if sauce needs to be thinned.