Perdue & Old Bay Chicken Cutlets

perdue.jpgMy daughter received these great new Purdue Chicken Perfect Portions as a promotional item and asked me if I wanted to try them. So, browsing my cupboards I came up with this recipe using Old Bay Seasoning and flour. Then, because I had Matzo meal in the house, I substituted it for the traditional breadcrumbs and grated cheese. What a great idea it was! Another dinner gobbled with no leftovers! old-bay.gif

6 (or more) thin chicken breasts, sliced/pounded thin
2 Tbs. butter
3 Tbsp. olive oil (extra virgin is best)
3/4 cup flour
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
2 eggs
2 Tbs. water
3/4 cup matzo meal
2 Tbs. Old Bay Seasoning

Place the oil and butter in a large non-stick frying pan and turn heat to medium-high. Meanwhile, open each Perfect Portion pack to rinse and pat dry; place on a plate.

On 3 separate plates do the following:

  • Mix flour, salt & pepper on 1st plate;
  • Whisk the 2 eggs and water on 2nd plate;
  • Finally, mix matzo meal and Old Bay Seasoning on 3rd plate. Line them up in that order across your counter next to the stove – it’s easier this way.

With a fork, pierce and pick-up one of the cutlets, dredge in the flour mixture on both sides – gently pat; then dip in the egg mixture coating both sides; finally, dredge in the matzo meal/Old Bay mix and press down gently on both sides to make sure it’s coated well. Do this with about 3-4 cutlets or as many will fit in the pan at a time.

Place in the the pan and cook on medium-high for about 5-6 minutes on each side – we like them crispy – or until done. If you make a couple of batches, you will want to add more butter and oil.

Chicken Wings, Portugese Style

Definitely not your run of the mill chicken wings. These are tremendous hot or cold and they don’t require deep frying. Forget the blue cheese, just pass the napkins!

4-6 lbs. chicken wings
2 quarts white, regular flavored vinegar
1 heaping Tbsp. of sea salt – (DO NOT use table salt)

Into a large bowl or container (you may need 2 depending on how many wings you will be making) place the wings, then pour vinegar over to cover; add the salt and mix gently but well to incorporate it.  Cover and place in the refrigerator for at least 12 hours – such as overnight or most of the day.  The wings will take on an almost white color, that’s okay.

When ready to bake:  preheat your oven to 400 degrees; adjusting oven racks so 2 trays can fit in nicely, and take out at least 2 rimmed baking sheets. Spray with a pan spray or grease lightly.  Place wings on sheet pans in a single layer, bake for 25 minutes, alternate pans and bake for 15 minutes more.

Boneless, Skinless Fried Chicken

Exquisite is the word to describe this dish.  It’s perfect for those of us who prefer not only boneless, but skinless fried chicken.  The coating cooks up so well and crunchy.  Have it cold with mayo, horseradish or spiced mustard slathered on a roll is heaven.

1 quart buttermilk
1 Tbsp. kosher salt
8-12 boneless, skinless breasts – slice in half

2 cups flour
2 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. Old Bay Seasoning
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. ground, black pepper
1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning or ground marjoram
1/4 tsp. celery salt
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper (optional if you wish a “kick”)

Crisco or oil for frying – (Crisco is sooo much better!)

Place buttermilk and the 1 tablespoon salt into a large container and mix well; add chicken pieces, cover and refrigerate at least 8 hours.

Get out the skillet you will be using and place enough Crisco or oil to fill pan about 1/3 full, and begin heating. Place all other ingredients into a medium bowl and combine well. Onto your counter near the stove, set out the following: bowl of buttermilk soaking chicken, next to that the bowl of flour mixture, next to that a large sheet tray (like a cookie tray).

When oil is ready, with tongs or a fork, pick up a piece of chicken, dredge it well into the flour on both sides, then gently lower into the heated oil then repeat with 2-3 more pieces. I have found that about 3-4 pieces fit in the pan at one time. Fry for about 5 minutes, turn over and fry that side for about 5 minutes, or until done. Place cooked pieces on a paper towel lined plate or another tray. Repeat until done.

Ground Chicken Meatballs

These are really delicious and don’t need to be added to a tomato sauce recipe.  I make these and serve with a garlic pasta alongside.

2 lbs. ground chicken
1 cup flavored breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmesan or Pecorino-Romano cheese
1 egg slightly beaten
1 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 tsp. ground pepper
1/2 tsp. garlic powder

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees, and lightly grease or foil a baking sheet, set aside.

In a medium-sized bowl, mix all ingredients together well, with a light but thorough touch.  If you mix it too much the meatballs will be tough.  Shape into golf-ball sized balls (or smaller if you wish) and place on baking sheet.  Place baking sheet in oven and bake for 35-40 minutes, or until done.  If you made smaller meatballs, then adjust your cooking time.

Chicken Barley Casserole

A one dish meal that cooks in a little bit over an hour. Serve with big biscuits and a green salad.

2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
1 pound ground chicken
1 small diced onion
1 small chopped green pepper
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. Worcestershire
1 can (14 oz.) diced tomatoes
1/2 cup chili sauce
1-1/2 cups water
3/4 cup pearl barley

Heat the oil in a large skillet then add chicken, onions, and pepper, until chicken is lightly browned – takes about 12 minutes. Empty all the rest of the ingredients into the pan, bring to a boil then cover and simmer for 1 hour stirring occassionally. That’s it!

Chipotle Chicken

Spicy, smokey, chipotles mixed with tomato sauce then rubbed on chicken for your backyard grilling pleasure. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over them right before serving.

1 (approx. 7 oz.) can chipotles in adobo sauce
1/2 cup tomato sauce
8-12 pieces chicken (bone-in, skin-on)
2 lemons, quartered and seeded

Get out a large, glass pan and set rinsed/patted dry chicken pieces into it. Combine the chipotles and sauce then spread all over chicken pieces. Cover pan with plastic wrap and place in fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight is even better.

Prepare your grill and cook until done. Sprinkle the lemon juice over and serve. Don’t forget the napkins!

Roasted Chicken with Veggies

Delicious, easy, and you can use just about any vegetable you want.

8 pieces of chicken – bone in, skin on
1/2 bag of baby carrots
2 large potatoes, peeled and chunked
1/2 green, red, yellow or orange pepper, seeded and chopped
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 tsp. dried rosemary
1 tsp. tarragon
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
Heaping Tbsp. minced garlic
Sprinklings of hot pepper flakes – optional

Preheat your oven to 425 degrees. Place all the ingredients, up to the oil into a roasting pan. In a separate bowl, whisk together the oil, broth and spices; drizzle over the pan and with your hands mix well and place chicken skin side down.

Cook for 1 hour, or until chicken is done.

Salad Dressing Baked Chicken

img_0073.jpgEasy and inexpensive – other than someone else making it for you – what could be simpler?

A whole chicken cut into 8 pieces OR your choice of pieces
2 cups buttermilk
1 cup unseasoned bread crumbs OR matzo meal (I used matzo)
1 packet Good Season’s Salad Garlic & Herb Salad Dressing
2 Tbsp. dried parsley
4 Tbsp. melted butter

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees. Take out a rimmed cooking sheet. Rinse chicken & pat dry. Pour buttermilk into a pie plate or bowl; on another pie plate or plate, add the breadcrumbs/matzo with the salad dressing and parsley and mix well with a fork.

Dip each chicken piece in buttermilk; coat with the dried mixture and place skin-side up on the cooking tray. Drizzle butter over all – you can use more butter if you wish. Place in the oven for 50 minutes, or until done.

Ginger, Soy & Garlic Chicken

Chicken plus three ingredients and an oven, that’s all there is to this delicious meal. Use any parts of the chicken you like. Double it and use two trays if more is needed.

8 pieces of bone-in, skin on chicken
1/2 cup soy sauce
1 heaping Tbsp. minced garlic
1 tsp. ground ginger

Place chicken pieces skin down in a pan with sides and large enough to fit all the pieces. Whisk all the ingredients in a small bowl then pour over chicken pieces in pan, cover with foil then place in the fridge for several hours.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Place pan in the oven for 25 minutes, turn each piece then place back in oven for about 25 more minutes or until done.

Tuna (or Chicken) Noodle Casserole

I had not eaten this for about 20 years when suddenly the urge came upon me to revisit an old family favorite. I don’t care for tuna anymore, so my sister Sandy helped me rework the recipe with  diced, cooked chicken and it worked just as well.

1/2 a bag (about 4 oz. uncooked ) of cooked egg noodles
1 small regular-sized can drained tuna (albacore) in water OR
1-2 cooked, diced chicken breast
1/2 a small can of drained sweet peas
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1/2 – 1 can milk (use one of the soup cans)
1 cup crushed crackers or potato chips

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9 x 13 pan. Place everything up to the chips into a large bowl and mix well. Spread in the greased pan and bake for 30-40 minutes.