Orecchiette with Mini Chicken Meatballs

Thanks, Kathy....Wonderful recipe that I know I'll make again and again!!!

Ingredients

1 pound orecchiette pasta
1/4 cup plain bread crumbs
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon whole milk
1 tablespoon ketchup
3/4 cup grated Romano
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 pound ground chicken
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 cups low-sodium chicken stock, hot
4 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan
8 ounces bocconcini mozzarella, halved
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes.

In a medium bowl, stir together the bread crumbs, parsley, eggs, milk, ketchup, Romano cheese, and the salt and pepper. Add the chicken and gently stir to combine.

Using a melon baller (or a teaspoon measure), form the chicken mixture into 3/4-inch pieces. With damp hands, roll the chicken pieces into mini meatballs.

In a large (14-inch) skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add the meatballs and cook without moving until brown on the bottom, about 2 minutes. Turn the meatballs over and brown the other side, about 2 minutes longer. Add the chicken stock and tomatoes. Bring to a boil. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up the brown bits that cling to the bottom of the pan. Reduce heat to low and simmer until tomatoes are soft and meatballs are cooked through, about 5 minutes. 

Drain the pasta, reserving about 1 cup of the pasta water. Transfer pasta to a large serving bowl and add the Parmesan. Toss to lightly coat orecchiette, adding reserved pasta water, if needed, to loosen the pasta. Add the meatball mixture, mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup of the basil. Gently toss to combine. Garnish with the chopped basil.

Walnut and Rosemary Oven-Fried Chicken

Quick, easy and delicious!!

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• Ingredients
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• 1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk
• 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
• 4 (6-ounce) chicken cutlets
• 1/3 cup panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
• 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts 
• 2 tablespoons grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 3/4 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Cooking spray 
• Rosemary leaves (optional)
• 
  
• Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. 2. Combine buttermilk and mustard in a shallow dish, stirring with a whisk. Add chicken to buttermilk mixture, turning to coat.
3. 3. Heat a small skillet over medium-high heat. Add panko to pan; cook 3 minutes or until golden, stirring frequently. Combine panko, nuts, and next 4 ingredients (through pepper) in a shallow dish. Remove chicken from buttermilk mixture; discard buttermilk mixture. Dredge chicken in panko mixture.
4. 4. Arrange a wire rack on a large baking sheet; coat rack with cooking spray. Arrange chicken on rack; coat chicken with cooking spray. Bake at 425° for 13 minutes or until chicken is done. Garnish with rosemary leaves, if desired.

White Chicken Chili

Loaded with amazing flavor.  One of my favorites!

Ingredients

• 2 (14.5-ounce) cans white beans
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 medium jalapeno pepper, minced
• 2 medium poblano peppers, chopped
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ancho chili powder
• 4 cups low-sodium chicken broth
• 2 limes, juiced, plus lime wedges, for serving
• 1 rotisserie chicken, skin removed and meat shredded
• 1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
• Sour cream, for topping
• Tortilla chips, coarsely crushed, for topping

Directions

Drain and rinse the canned white beans. In a medium bowl, mash half of the beans with a potato masher until chunky. Reserve the beans until needed.

Add the canola oil to a large Dutch oven and heat it over medium-high heat. Add the peppers, onions, and garlic and saute until soft and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Season the vegetables with salt, and pepper, to taste. Add the cumin, coriander, and chili powder and continue to saute for 1 more minute to toast the spices. Stir in the chicken stock, and lime juice and bring to a simmer. Add the beans and continue to simmer for 20 more minutes.

After 20 minutes of simmering, taste for seasoning, and adjust if necessary. Stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken and cilantro and simmer until heated through, about 5 more minutes. Serve the chili in individual bowls topped with a dollop of sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, and lime wedges.

My Favorite Dry Rub (So Far)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons chili powder
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon garlic powder
3 teaspoons mustard powder
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons black pepper

Directions:

Mix all ingredients and rub liberally on chicken or ribs.

Grilled Lemon Chicken Skewers with Satay Dip

The satay sauce is what makes this dish!  Once again a bit hit at the beach!!!

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice (4 lemons)
• 3/4 cup good olive oil
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves, or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
• 2 pounds boneless chicken breasts, halved and skin removed
• Satay Dip, recipe follows

Directions

Whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and thyme. Pour over the chicken breasts in a nonreactive bowl. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 6 hours or overnight.

Heat a charcoal grill. Grill the chicken breasts for 10 minutes on each side, until just cooked through. Cool slightly and cut diagonally in 1/2-inch-thick slices. Skewer with wooden sticks and serve with Satay Dip.

Satay Dip:

1 tablespoon good olive oil

1 tablespoon dark sesame oil

2/3 cup small-diced red onion (1 small onion)

1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic (2 cloves)

1 1/2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger root

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

2 tablespoons good red wine vinegar

1/4 cup light brown sugar, packed

2 tablespoons soy sauce

1/2 cup smooth peanut butter

1/4 cup ketchup

2 tablespoons dry sherry

1 1/2 teaspoons freshly squeezed lime juice

Cook the olive oil, sesame oil, red onion, garlic, ginger root, and red pepper flakes in a small, heavy-bottomed pot on medium heat until the onion is transparent, 10 to 15 minutes. Whisk in the vinegar, brown sugar, soy sauce, peanut butter, ketchup, sherry, and lime juice; cook for 1 more minute. Cool and use as a dip for Grilled Lemon Chicken skewers.

Chicken Tamale Casserole

Ingredients

• 1 cup (4 ounces) preshredded 4-cheese Mexican blend cheese, divided 
• 1/3 cup fat-free milk 
• 1/4 cup egg substitute
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1 (14 3/4-ounce) can cream-style corn 
• 1 (8.5-ounce) box corn muffin mix (such as Martha White)
• 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles, drained
• Cooking spray 
• 1 (10-ounce) can red enchilada sauce (such as Old El Paso)
• 2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast 
• 1/2 cup fat-free sour cream 

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 400°.
2. 2. Combine 1/4 cup cheese and next 7 ingredients (through chiles) in a large bowl, stirring just until moist. Pour mixture into a 13 x 9–inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
3. 3. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until set. Pierce entire surface liberally with a fork; pour enchilada sauce over top. Top with chicken; sprinkle with remaining 3/4 cup cheese. Bake at 400° for 15 minutes or until cheese melts. Remove from oven; let stand 5 minutes. Cut into 8 pieces; top each serving with 1 tablespoon sour cream.

Tortilla Chicken with Salsa Verde

I am telling you, this is amazing!  I have made it twice..easy and delicious....


Ingredients:

• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
• 1 egg white, beaten
• 1/2 cup tortilla chips, crushed
• 1/2 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup salsa verde - (Frontera Grill tomatillo salsa is amazing for this!)
• 1/4 cup pico de gallo (chopped fresh tomatoes and onions)
• 1-2 slices or 4 tbs. white cheese (ideally Mexican cheese, but pepper-jack worked fine for me!)
• cilantro sauce: cilantro, oil, avocado, salsa verde

Preparation:

1. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper.  Coat the chicken with the egg white.  Combine the panko and the crushed chips.  Dip/press the chicken into the panko mixture until well coated.  Fry the chicken in 1-2 tbs. oil over medium-high heat, about 2-3 minutes on each side.
2. When the outside is nice and golden brown, transfer to the oven and bake for 15-25 minutes at 400 degrees (depending on the size and temperature of your chicken breasts).
3. Make cilantro sauce:  combine 1 avocado, 1/2 cup salsa verde, a bunch of cilantro and oil in a food processor to make a cilantro sauce.
4. Add the cheese; return to the oven for a few minutes until melted.
5. Spoon salsa verde on the plate; place chicken on the salsa verde, and sprinkle cilantro sauce and pico de gallo over the top!  ¡Que bueno!

Creamy Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

Filling:


3 cups cooked, chopped chicken
2 (4 oz.) cans of green chiles, lightly drained
1 package (8 oz.) cream cheese, cubed
1 can white or black beans, rinsed and drained (you can really use any type of bean you prefer here)

Sauce:


2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup chopped onion (about 1/2 medium onion)
2 tablespoons flour
1/3 cup chicken broth
¼ cup milk
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
1 can (7 ounce) green chile enchilada sauce
½ cup sour cream

8 ounces (about 2 cups) Monterey jack cheese, shredded
8 medium (soft taco size) flour tortillas
Handful of chopped fresh cilantro

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. 

In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and green chiles. Mix well. Add the chicken and black beans. Mix to combine. Set aside. 

In a large nonstick skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion softens and starts to turn translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle the flour over the onions and stir well. Cook for 1 minute, stirring. Slowly whisk in the chicken broth and milk. As you whisk and the mixture cooks, the flour will get less lumpy around the onions and the mixture will become smooth. Cook over medium heat until the mixture is bubbling and has thickened, about 4-5 minutes. Add salt and pepper. Remove the skillet from the heat and stir in the enchilada sauce and sour cream. 

Lightly grease a 9X13-inch baking dish. Spread about 1/4 cup of the sauce on the bottom of the dish. Fill each tortilla with about ½ cup of the chicken/cream cheese filling. Top with a small handful of shredded cheese, a couple tablespoonfuls for each enchilada. Save at least 1/2 cup cheese for the top of the enchiladas. Roll the tortillas up and place seam side down in the prepared baking dish. Continue filling enchiladas until the dish is full (I can easily fit 8 enchiladas in one pan). 

Pour the white sauce over the top of the enchiladas. Top with remaining cheese. Bake for 20-30 minutes until the enchiladas are bubbling, hot and lightly browned. Sprinkle fresh cilantro over the top and serve.

Grilled Chicken and Tapenade Sandwiches

• Ingredients:
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• 1 1/2 cups diced seeded tomato 
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped pitted kalamata olives
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic 
• 5 teaspoons extravirgin olive oil, divided 
• 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast 
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Cooking spray
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled feta cheese 
• 4 (2-ounce) ciabatta sandwich rolls, halved
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• 
  

• Preparation

  1. Combine first 7 ingredients in a small bowl. Add 2 teaspoons oil; toss gently to combine. Let stand 15 minutes.
  2. Prepare grill.
  3. Brush chicken evenly with remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper. Place chicken on a grill rack coated with cooking spray; grill 6 minutes on each side or until chicken is done. Remove from grill. Let stand 5 minutes before slicing thinly.
  4. Add cheese and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt to tomato mixture; stir gently to combine. Arrange sliced chicken evenly on bottom halves of rolls. Top each serving with one-fourth of tomato mixture, and cover with top halves of rolls. Serve immediately.
  .

Balsamic & Shallot Chicken Breasts

Ingredients

• 6 (8-ounce) bone-in chicken breast halves, skinned 
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided 
• 1/4 cup chopped shallots
• 3 garlic cloves, chopped 
• 1 chopped seeded plum tomato 
• 1 1/2 teaspoons tomato paste
• 1/2 cup fat-free, lower-sodium chicken broth
• 2/3 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions 

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 350°.
2. 2. Sprinkle the chicken evenly with pepper and salt. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 2 teaspoons olive oil to pan. Add chicken, meat-side down; cook 7 minutes or until browned. Turn chicken over; cook 3 minutes. Place chicken on a jelly-roll pan. Bake at 350° for 23 minutes or until done.
3. 3. Return the pan to medium-high heat. Add remaining oil, shallots, and garlic; sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add tomato and tomato paste; sauté for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add broth; bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Add vinegar; reduce heat to medium-low, and cook 20 minutes or until reduced to 2/3 cup, stirring occasionally. Serve sauce with chicken. Sprinkle with green onions.

Chicken Piccata with Summer Vegetable Pasta

Ingredients:


1 cup strips red bell pepper (1 medium)
3/4 cup thinly sliced onion (about 1/2 large onion)
1 1/2 cups matchstick cut zucchini
1 1/4 cups matchstick cut yellow squash
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
2 garlic cloves, minced
8 ounces uncooked whole wheat spaghetti
3/4 cup grated fresh parmesan cheese
1/2 cup thinly sliced basil
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
6 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons capers

1/2 cup sliced green onions
1 tablespoon butter

Preparation

1. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Add bell pepper and onion; sauté 8 minutes or until tender and beginning to brown. Place onion mixture in a large bowl; keep warm. Return pan to medium-high heat. Recoat pan with cooking spray. Add zucchini and yellow squash; sauté 4 minutes or until crisp-tender. Add tomatoes and garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Add squash mixture to reserved onion mixture. Keep warm.
2. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain pasta in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Add pasta and reserved cooking liquid to vegetable mixture, stirring to combine. Add 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese and basil; toss to combine. Keep warm.
3. Sprinkle both sides of chicken with salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Place the flour in a shallow bowl. Dredge chicken in flour, turning to coat; shake off excess flour.
4. Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Coat the pan with cooking spray. Add olive oil to pan, swirling to coat. Add chicken, and cook 4 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from pan; keep warm.
5. Add broth, juice, and capers to pan, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Bring to a boil; cook 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Add green onions, butter, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon black pepper; stir until butter melts.
6. Arrange about 1 cup pasta mixture on each of 4 plates; top each serving with 1 chicken breast half, 1/4 cup sauce, and 1 tablespoon remaining cheese. Serve immediately.