Monday, September 29, 2008

Lemon Chicken

I love this lemon chicken! Cesar loves this lemon chicken! Hugo loves this lemon chicken! We all love this lemon chicken recipe and it is sooo simple that you'll love it too! Just so you know, I found this recipe on the back of a package of frozen Tyson chicken breasts.

Best Lemon Chicken
serves 4

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/3 c lemon juice
1/4 c olive oil
2 Tbls finely chopped red pepper (optional) (yeah, I am not a red pepper fan, it was omitted)
1 Tbls Dijon Mustard
2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped (I cheated and used minced from a jar)
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
chopped parsley

Remove protective ice glaze from frozen chicken breasts. Mix all ingredients, reserve 1/4 cup of the marinade. Pour remaining marinade over single layer of chicken. Refrigerate 20 min. (I have left this to marinade in the fridge overnight, it tasted the same as the 20 minute marinade - yummy!)

Chicken can be grilled or broiled, left whole or chopped in half. (I have only broiled this recipe out of quick convenience for moi.) Broil 5 minutes. Baste chicken; cook 3 minutes or until golden. Turn chicken; baste. Cook 6-8 minutes, or until juices run clear and temperature reaches 170 degrees.

I have served this with my Mother-in-laws carrot and/or spinach rice. Great way to get extra veggies sneaked into the kids tummies!

Carrot Rice

1 c rice
2-3 or 4 carrots, you choose, peeled and finely chopped, we like a lot of carrots!
olive oil to coat bottom of pan, I like to use a pasta pot so nothing bubbles over
1 Tbls minced garlic, again, I use the jar stuff, my Portuguese MIL does so I do too!
1 can chicken broth, plus a quarter can of water
salt and pepper to taste

With pot on medium heat coat bottom of pan with olive oil just to cover. Once heated through add garlic, allow to become golden stirring all the while. Add carrots, rice, chicken broth, salt & pepper and water. Bring to soft boil, cover with lid and simmer on low till done. 20 minutes? I kinda ignore it while I make something else. Taste rice, not soft? add a little more water and simmer. Once done, remove from heat to rest 5-10 minutes covered. Stir and pour into serving dish.

*The carrots can be substituted for spinach, a lot of spinach because it cooks down quickly, any greens really, mushrooms or diced tomatoes. Easy and addictive side dish.