Recipe: Easy Peasy Spiced Chicken
By Pam Turczyn
Following fast on the heels of last month’s Easy Peasy Zucchini comes another recipe that has only three ingredients, and one of them is your favorite spice mix (The Co-op carries a wide variety of spice mixes to choose from). Once again, this is a minimal-effort, maximal-reward recipe that is all about technique. The whole dish takes around 10 minutes of active preparation and another 10 minutes spent in excited anticipation while the chicken finishes cooking by itself. Easy peasy.
These instructions are based on a blog comment posted as a solution to the dilemma of dryness that can characterize boneless, skinless chicken breast. By seasoning, pan searing and steaming it, breast meat comes out succulent and full of flavor. I use boneless, skinless thighs with equal success. Blog commenter, wherever you are: I salute you!
Total cost: $7 for four servings
Ingredients:
Farmer Focus boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Olive oil or butter
Your favorite spice mix
Optional: half of a lemon or lime, cut in two wedges
Directions:
Cut off any excess fat from the chicken. Pat dry. Coat each piece with olive oil and then sprinkle top and bottom with spice mix.
Heat a skillet (cast iron is ideal) until it’s good and hot. Add a couple teaspoons of oil and/or butter. Place the chicken parts in the pan and allow to sear for four minutes or until nicely browned. It is best not to shift them in the pan while searing.
Turn the chicken over and sear the second side for 4 minutes or so. If you have lemon or lime, squeeze the wedges over the chicken, then add them to the pan.
Turn off the heat, cover the pan with a tight fitting lid and allow the chicken to steam for 7 to 10 minutes. If your lid is loose or your skillet has a pour spout like mine, then fill in the gap with aluminum foil.
Now, remove the lid for the big reveal. Congratulations on preparing a truly awesome dish!