Sunday, February 2, 2020

Skillet Meal: Mediterranean Style Sauteed Chicken and Zucchini

This easy Mediterranean style skillet dish of bold flavored chicken and vegetables comes together in under 30 minutes!



This easy Mediterranean style skillet dish of bold flavored chicken and vegetables comes together in under 30 minutes! - Slice of Southern



Yum

Anyone on the Mediterranean diet?  Well I have the perfect dish for you.  Even if you are not on this diet but love the flavors of the Mediterranean you can't go wrong with this bold flavored skillet dish!

I hate doing dishes so when I can get my hands on a good skillet dish I'm all over it!  I love cooking with chicken because it is packed with protein and cooks quickly.  I use it in this dish along with fresh vegetables, spices, and herbs to create a flavor packed Mediterranean style dish in under 30 minutes.  The technique you will be using here is similar to a stir fry.  


This easy Mediterranean style skillet dish of bold flavored chicken and vegetables comes together in under 30 minutes!

First up is cooking the spiced up chicken pieces, removing them and then cooking up the vegetables.  Adding more spice so the whole dish gets packed with flavor.  Adding back the chicken and their juices and then finishing up the dish with some lemon juice, fresh tomatoes, and some basil.  Quick and simple is the name of the game here tonight.


This easy Mediterranean style skillet dish of bold flavored chicken and vegetables comes together in under 30 minutes!

This uses great Mediterranean spices such as oregano, coriander, cumin, and paprika.  They lend great bold flavor to both the chicken and the vegetables.  I also threw in some chickpeas for added protein and texture.  This dish is loaded with fresh ingredients so you can't go wrong.  And if anything cooks in under 30 minutes and tastes fantastic, that's a winner in my book.

Enjoy! 


Mediterranean Style Sauteed Chicken and Zucchini

serves 4

1 ½ tbsp dry oregano
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
½ tsp sweet paprika
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized cubes
olive oil
½ medium red onion, thinly sliced
5 garlic cloves, minced and divided
1 bell pepper, sliced into sticks
2 zucchini, halved length-wise, sliced into ½ moons
1 cup chickpeas (from a 14 oz can, drained and rinsed)
1 ½ cups cherry tomatoes, halved
Kosher salt and pepper
1 large lemon
5-6 basil leaves, rough chopped


In a small bowl mix the first four spices together well.  Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of the spice mixture over the chicken pieces, coating well.  Set the rest of the spice mixture aside for the vegetables.

In a large skillet heat a couple of tablespoons of olive oil over medium high heat until hot.  Add the chicken and cook about 5 minutes until pieces are browned and cooked through.  Stir often.  Remove chicken to a plates and set aside.

Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet and add the onion and garlic.  Cook for several minutes, stirring frequently until the onion has soften.  Don't let the garlic burn.  Add the bell pepper, zucchini, and chickpeas and the remainder of the spice mixture, stirring to combine.  Cook about 7-8 minutes until the vegetables have browned and are starting to soften but are still crisp.  

Return the chicken and any accumulated juices back to the skillet.  Add the tomatoes, season with salt and pepper, and add the juice of one lemon.  Stir until combined and everything is heated through.  Top with the fresh basil, then serve.


This easy Mediterranean style skillet dish of bold flavored chicken and vegetables comes together in under 30 minutes!

This easy Mediterranean style skillet dish of bold flavored chicken and vegetables comes together in under 30 minutes!




Sunday, January 26, 2020

A Winter Wonder: Cranberry Chocolate Chip Bread

When the winds of winter blow, The long nights are crystal clear and cold, ... Of a crisp winter's night, Watching a full moon rise over the horizon, Exposing a winter wonderland beautiful and bright. - poem


Cranberry Chocolate Chip Bread:  Hot from the oven, and bursting with tart cranberries, and melted decadent chocolate this bread is a wonderful breakfast treat. - Slice of Southern



Yum

There's something about winter that's seem magical to me.  It might be the quiet still nights, or the festive activites, or just the innate nature to stay warm and hibernate until that first bud of spring.

Whatever the actual reason is I love to stay home and bake during the wintertime.  I get that cozy, homey feeling and it feels really good!  You may have noticed this by my many baking posts such as these scrumptious Yogurt Pecan Streusel Muffins or these 1 Hour Dinner Rolls, or even my recent Raspberry Almond Baked Oatmeal.  


Cranberry Chocolate Chip Bread:  Hot from the oven, and bursting with tart cranberries, and melted decadent chocolate this bread is a wonderful breakfast treat. - Slice of Southern

Today I have an absolutely delicious winter wonder of a quick bread for you that features one of my favorite winter ingredients:  fresh cranberries.  Oh how I love these tart little fruits and I buy bags of them each year and freeze them so I can have cranberries in the dead of summer!  These are considered a superfruit due to the amount of nutrients and antioxidants in them....that makes this quick bread healthy right?!  Well let's just say it's damn good.


Cranberry Chocolate Chip Bread:  Hot from the oven, and bursting with tart cranberries, and melted decadent chocolate this bread is a wonderful breakfast treat. - Slice of Southern


Cranberry Chocolate Chip Bread:  Hot from the oven, and bursting with tart cranberries, and melted decadent chocolate this bread is a wonderful breakfast treat. - Slice of Southern

Hot from the oven, and bursting with tart cranberries, and melted decadent chocolate this bread is a wonderful breakfast treat.  This takes about 1 hour in the oven, so plan ahead, but you will have the most wonderful winter treat that will be good for breakfast, snacking, with tea or coffee, even as a dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream! 

Enjoy!





Cranberry Chocolate Chip Bread

serves 16


2 cups flour
3/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
3/4 cup low-fat milk
1/3 cup canola oil
1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen), chopped in half
1 cup mini semisweet chocolate chips


Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Spray a loaf pan (9x5) with non-stick cooking spray.  

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt. Whisk the egg, milk and oil; stir into dry ingredients just until moistened. Fold in cranberries and chocolate chips. Transfer to prepared pan.

Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean, 60-65 minutes.  Cool for 10 minutes; run a knife along the sides of the pan, invert and remove from the pan.  Place on a cooling rack to continue cooling.  Slice and serve.


Cranberry Chocolate Chip Bread:  Hot from the oven, and bursting with tart cranberries, and melted decadent chocolate this bread is a wonderful breakfast treat. - Slice of Southern
Cranberry Chocolate Chip Bread:  Hot from the oven, and bursting with tart cranberries, and melted decadent chocolate this bread is a wonderful breakfast treat. - Slice of Southern

Saturday, January 18, 2020

Garlic Herb Chicken Patties and a Fresh Salad

Garlicky, herby chicken patties; crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside, next to a fresh salad bursting with flavor make for one tasty dinner!


Garlicky, herby chicken patties; crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside, next to a fresh salad bursting with flavor make for one tasty dinner!



Yum

If your looking for easy weeknight meals that are fresh and healthy, look no further cause I've got a winner of a dish for you today!

It couldn't be easier than whipping up some chicken patties that are served along a nice fresh salad and some basmati rice.  Garlicky, herby chicken patties; crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside, next to a fresh salad bursting with flavor make for one tasty dinner!

We're eating light and fresh around here, and this meal fits the bill!  On the table in less than 30 minutes you can have a healthy start to your new year with this zesty tasting meal.


GARLIC HERB CHICKEN PATTIES AND A FRESH SALAD


Garlicky, herby chicken patties; crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside, next to a fresh salad bursting with flavor make for one tasty dinner! - Slice of Southern

Ground chicken gives the dish a little change of pace and tastes wonderful with the addition of scallions, parsley, garlic, and a little kick from some spices.  You can certainly make this with ground turkey if you prefer, buy why not give the chicken a try?  Something new to add to your repertoire 
of protein ingredients, plus it's super yummy!  

I made these into small bite sized patties, but do what you want.  Meatballs? sure...large chicken patties...perfect!  Even make a little dipping sauce of sour cream or yogurt and some sriracha to go along side.  Just be sure not to handle them too much to keep them tender.


Garlicky, herby chicken patties; crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside, next to a fresh salad bursting with flavor make for one tasty dinner! - Slice of Southern

The salad is really simple, and really fresh!  Sometimes the best things are the simplest, don't you agree?  Sliced cucumber, avocado, and tomato make it simple.  Just douse it with a little lemon juice and your all set.  Through in some rice like we did and dinner is served, all under 30 minutes!

Enjoy!







Garlic Herb Chicken Patties and a Fresh Salad

serves: 6

Patties:
1 lb ground chicken
1 tablespoon chopped scallion
1 teaspoon chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon chili pepper flakes
2 tablespoons fresh garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon butter

Salad:
1 medium cucumber, sliced
1/2 avocado, diced
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 lemon

Combine all ingredients for the chicken patties, through the garlic, in a medium bowl and very gently mix until everything is evenly combined. Do not over mix or you will get a tough patties. 

Heat 1 tablespoon oil and 1 teaspoon butter in a skillet over medium high heat and divide the chicken mixture into eight equal parts. Flatten gently to form the little chicken patties, about the size of a sausage patty.  Place in the skillet and cook about 5 minutes per side, searing each side, and cooking until internal temperature reaches 160ºF.  A good sear will ensure they are crispy on the outside and moist on the inside. Remove from the skillet and set aside on paper towels to drain.

Combine the cucumber, avocado, and tomatoes. Slice lemon in half.  Slice one half into wedges and squeeze the other half over the vegetables. Serve alongside the patties and a lemon wedge.




Garlicky, herby chicken patties; crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside, next to a fresh salad bursting with flavor make for one tasty dinner! - Slice of Southern
Garlicky, herby chicken patties; crispy on the outside and moist and tender on the inside, next to a fresh salad bursting with flavor make for one tasty dinner! - Slice of Southern




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