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Chili, Green Chicken (IP)

Chili, Green Chicken (IP)

Yield: 4 to 6 Servings

Adapted from: J. Kenji López-Alt

Packed with moist, tender chunks of braised chicken thighs in a balanced sauce that is rich with umami depth and green chili flavor, but still plenty bright and fresh. And the best part: You can make it in under half an hour. All it takes is a pressure cooker and some dumping skills.
Adding all the ingredients to the pressure cooker with no added liquid makes for an intensely flavored stew that cooks in its own juices.
Fish sauce adds umami depth to the fish once it’s cooked.

  • lb bone-in skin-on chicken thighs and drumsticks
  • ¾lb tomatillos, quartered, husks discarded (about 4 tomatillos)
  • 1lb poblano peppers, roughly chopped, seeds and stems discarded (about 3 peppers)
  • 6oz Anaheim or Cubanelle peppers, roughly chopped, seeds and stems discarded (about 2 peppers)
  • 2Serrano or jalapeño chilies, roughly chopped, stems discarded
  • 10oz white onion, roughly chopped (about 1 medium)
  • 6medium cloves garlic, peeled
  • 1TBS whole cumin seed, toasted and ground
  • Kosher salt
  • ½cup loosely packed fresh cilantro leaves and fine stems, plus more for garnish
  • 1TBS Asian fish sauce
  • Fresh corn tortillas and lime wedges, for serving

In a 6-qt Instant Pot, combine chicken, tomatillos, poblano peppers, Anaheim peppers, Serrano peppers, onion, garlic, cumin, and a big pinch of salt. Set Instant Pot to the SAUTÉ HIGH setting. Add oil and heat until shimmering. Seal Instant Pot and set to MANUAL HIGH pressure for 15 minutes. Quick release pressure.

Using tongs, transfer chicken pieces to a bowl and set aside. Add cilantro and fish sauce to the remaining contents of IP. Blend with a hand blender or in a standing blender and season to taste with salt. Return chicken to sauce, discarding skin and bones and shredding if desired. Transfer to a serving platter, garnish with chopped cilantro, and serve immediately with tortillas and lime wedges.

Chicken and Rice (IP)

Chicken and Rice (IP)

Yield: 4 to 6

Adapted from: Simply Recipes

Classic chicken and rice adapted for the pressure cooker! Combine everything in the pot and come back to a perfectly cooked casserole. Easy, cozy weeknight dinner.
Prep: 20 Cook: 25

For the sauce:

  • ¼cup dry sherry
  • ¾cup chicken broth
  • ½cup sour cream
  • ¼cup heavy cream
  • tsp Italian seasoning
  • tsp salt
  • ½tsp ground pepper
  • ½tsp paprika

For the casserole:

  • 1TBS olive oil
  • 1medium onion, diced
  • ½lb cremini mushrooms, sliced
  • 2cloves garlic, minced
  • lb (5 to 6) boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1½-inch pieces
  • cups long-grain white rice

To serve:

  • ¼cup chopped parsley


Whisk together the sauce:

In a mixing bowl or large liquid measuring cup, whisk together the sherry, chicken broth, sour cream, cream, Italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and paprika. Set it aside.

Sauté the vegetables in the pressure cooker:

Select the “Sauté” setting on the pressure cooker and heat the oil in the pressure cooker. (If you are using a stovetop pressure cooker, heat the oil over medium heat.)

Add the onion and cook for 4 minutes, until a bit softened but not browned. Add the mushrooms and cook until they begin to wilt and give up their liquid, about 3 more minutes. Stir in the garlic and sauté for 1 more minute.

Add the chicken:

Stir in the chicken thighs and let them cook for 5 to 6 minutes, stirring often, until opaque and mostly cooked through (it’s fine if they’re still a little pink in the middle).

Add the rice and the sauce:

Use your spatula to pat the chicken and vegetables down into an even layer. Sprinkle the rice over the top of the chicken in an even layer.

Slowly pour the sauce over the rice, taking care not to disturb the layer. Use a spoon to nudge down any grains of rice that are clinging to the sides of the pot, so everything is covered with the cooking liquid.

Pressure cook the chicken and rice:

Secure the lid on the pressure cooker. Make sure that the pressure regulator is set to the “Sealing” position. Cancel the “Sauté” program on the pressure cooker, then select the “Manual” or “Pressure Cook” setting. Set the cooking time to 5 minutes at high pressure. (If using a stovetop pressure cooker, the cooking time is the same.)

The pressure cooker will take 5 to 10 minutes to come up to pressure before the cooking time begins.

Let the pressure release naturally for at least 10 minutes, then quick release the pressure:

by immediately moving the vent from “Sealing” to “Venting.” Be careful of the steam! Alternatively, you can let the pot continue to depressurize naturally, which takes about 20 minutes total.

The sauce may look a little bit separated when you initially open the pot. Don’t worry, it’s fine! Just use a fork to gently fluff the rice and incorporate the creamy layer back into the casserole.

Serve the casserole:

Spoon the casserole into shallow bowls or onto plates, digging all the way down to the bottom so you get both rice and chicken in each scoop. Sprinkle generously with chopped parsley and serve hot.

Leftovers will keep for about a week and can be warmed in the microwave.

Chicken, Pears and Arugula

Chicken, Pears and Arugula

Yield: 4

Adapted from: NY Times

In this hearty sheet-pan meal, thick pear wedges and chicken thighs seasoned with earthy, warming spices are roasted until soft and tender. During the last five minutes, crunchy sunflower seeds are scattered on the pan to sizzle in the pan juices, gaining a salty flavor that balances out the sweetness of the pears. A final topping of arugula soaks up any lingering juices and turns this into a full-on meal. Using firm, not-quite-ripe pears prevents them from becoming mushy and falling apart during the cooking process. Swap baby spinach for the arugula and sherry vinegar for the lemon juice, depending on what you have on hand. Serve any leftovers on a bed of fresh arugula, dressed with lemon and olive oil.

  • 6skin-on, bone-in chicken thighs (2½ to 3 lb)
  • Kosher salt and black pepper
  • ½tsp red-pepper flakes
  • 1tsp cumin
  • 1tsp coriander
  • 1TBS grated fresh ginger from a 2-inch piece
  • 3TBS olive oil
  • 2firm, semi-ripe Bartlett or Bosc pears, cored and quartered lengthwise
  • 2TBS raw, unsalted sunflower seeds
  • 2packed cups baby arugula
  • 1lemon, halved
  • ¼cup fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems, roughly chopped (optional)

Heat the oven to 450°F with a rack in the center.

Pat the chicken dry and trim excess fat and skin.

Sprinkle all over with 2 tsp salt, and season with pepper.

In a small bowl, mix the red-pepper flakes, cumin, coriander, ginger and oil.

On a sheet pan, rub the chicken and pears all over with the mixture. Arrange chicken skin-side up and pears skin-side down. Cook until the chicken is cooked through (165°F at the thickest part) and the pears are tender, 25 to 30 minutes.

During the last 5 minutes, add the sunflower seeds to the pan.

If there’s a lot of fat when finished cooking, tilt the pan and spoon it off until there’s a light coating on the surface of the pan.

Scatter the arugula on top and squeeze the juice of ½ lemon over the pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Top with herbs, if using.

Cut the remaining lemon half in quarters and serve.

Cashew Chicken

Cashew Chicken

Yield: 4 Servings

adapted from: recipecritic

Sheet Pan Cashew Chicken is an easy weeknight meal with all the amazing flavors of the popular takeout dish. Tender chicken surrounded by crisp and tender veggies with crunchy cashews and an incredible sweet and savory sauce.

For the sauce:

  • 6TBS low sodium-soy sauce
  • 1TBS hoisin sauce
  • ¾TBS apple cider vinegar
  • 2TBS honey
  • 1tsp toasted sesame oil
  • ½tsp fresh minced ginger
  • 2cloves garlic minced
  • 2TBS cornstarch
  • ½cup water plus more as needed to thin out sauce

For the chicken and vegetables:

  • 2medium skinless boneless chicken thighs or breasts cut into 1-inch cubes
  • salt and pepper
  • cups broccoli florets
  • 1red bell pepper cut into chunks
  • ½green bell pepper cut into chunks (optional – for extra color)
  • ½red onion cut into narrow wedges (optional)
  • cup roasted unsalted cashews

Optional garnishes:

  • toasted sesame seeds and chopped green onions


For the sauce:

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together soy sauce, hoisin sauce, vinegar, honey, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, cornstarch and water until combined. Bring to a simmer, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens and bubbles. Remove from heat and set aside.

For the chicken and vegetables:

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper or foil coated with cooking spray and set aside.

Season chicken with salt and pepper then drizzle spoonfuls of sauce over the chicken coating well on both sides. Reserve at least half of the sauce for later.

Cook in preheated oven for 8 minutes then remove the pan.

Arrange the broccoli florets, bell peppers, onions, and cashews in a single layer around the chicken. Season the vegetables with salt and pepper and drizzle spoonfuls of the sauce and toss everything to coat. Return to the oven and cook for another 8-12 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and juices run clear.

Remove pan from oven and drizzle with remaining sauce.

Serve over rice and garnish with green onions and toasted sesame seeds, if desired.

Thighs with Cauliflower, Carrots and Onions

Thighs with Cauliflower, Carrots and Onions

Yield: 4 to 6 Servings

Adapted from: Food52

This is a great, fairly simple, meal. I added carrots to the recipe. Would be great for a group.

  • cooking oil, for greasing
  • 1large head cauliflower 
  • 2onions
  • 4-6carrots, red, yellow or sweet
  • 5TBS olive oil, divided
  • Kosher salt and fresh pepper, to taste
  • 1TBS whole cumin seeds or ground cumin, see note above
  • 1TBS whole coriander seeds or ground coriander, see note above
  • 2tsp smoked paprika
  • ¼-½tsp cayenne, to suit your heat tolerance
  • 2cloves garlic, minced
  • 6-8boneless, skinless chicken thighs, about 2 lbs.

Special Equipment:

  • Mortar and pestle or spice grinder

Prep:

Preheat the oven to 425ºF and position one rack in the center and another at the top.

Line and oil two half-sheet pans.

Spices:

If you have them, toast whole cumin and coriander seeds in a small skillet over medium-high heat until they turn light brown and smell fragrant, 3 to 5 minutes. Grind in a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. Add to a small bowl and mix with the smoked paprika and cayenne.

Peel and slice carrots into ¼-inch thick diagonal slices.

Peel and half onions. Either slice ¼-inch thick, or cut into ½-inch wedges.

Cut cauliflower into florets, large florets halved or quartered as necessary to bite sized pieces.
Place cauliflower florets, carrots and onion on a half-sheet pan. Season all over with a tsp of kosher salt and pepper to taste, and a large drizzle of olive oil.

Sprinkle half of the spice mixture over the vegetables. Use your hands to toss the vegetables evenly with the oil and spice mix. Transfer pan to the top shelf of the oven and roast for about 15 minutes.

Chicken:

Place chicken thighs in a large bowl. Season generously all over with salt. Add sprinkle on the remaining spice mix, 1-2 TBS of oil, and minced garlic. Toss to coat. Let sit at room temperature while vegetables roast.

Roast:

After the 15 minute roast of the vegetables, remove the half-sheet pan and mix the vegetables. Return to the center rack of the oven.

Lay the chicken thighs on the second half-sheet pan. Roast for 15 minutes—if thighs are large, they may need 5 to 10 minutes more. Thighs should be 185ºF in center of thickest part. Remove the vegetable pan after the second 15 minutes and cover loosely with foil.

Remove the chicken pan from the oven, cover loosely with foil and let rest for 5 to 10 minutes.

The chicken can be served as is, or cut into 1-inch pieces (best for a group), about the same size as the cauliflower. Return chicken to sheet pan or to a serving platter along with the vegetables  and any juice from the chicken pan. Toss everything together.

Meanwhile, stir together the yogurt sauce, warm up some bread, cut the lemons, etc.  Taste and adjust seasoning and squeeze a lemon over everything, if desired.

Note: The cauliflower does not freeze well. Should not be frozen!

Thighs, Change-Your-Life Chicken

Thighs, Change-Your-Life Chicken

Yield: 1, multiply to suit your needs

https://www.thelazygeniuscollective.com/blog/change-your-life-chicken

A  great method for sheet-pan chicken thighs. Works with bone-in or boneless skinless thighs and whatever firm vegetables you like.

  • 1-2chicken thighs, bone-in, skin-on per person
  • 2handfuls of vegetables per person using onion, carrot, potato, sweet potato, Brussels sprouts, green beans, asparagus, leek, and cauliflower as desired

Preheat the oven to 500°F. Not a typo. Five hundred.

Line a half-sheet pan with heavy duty foil. The pan needs to hold your vegetables comfortably – not too close together, not too far apart. Heavy duty is less likely to tear, i.e., to get dirty from chicken grease.

Cut your vegetables, and toss with olive oil, more salt than you think you need, and black pepper. These are the sizes to go for: large bite sized. Carrots take the longest, so make those thinner than the rest. Consider cooking speeds with the vegetables you choose.

Green beans don’t need cutting, so those get tossed with the rest. Notice how cozy the vegetables are with each other but that there isn’t more than one layer.

Peel the skin back from the chicken. Generously season both sides of the chicken under the skin with salt and pepper. Fold the skin back over. Pat the chicken skin dry with a wad of paper towels.

Place the chicken skin side up directly on top of the vegetables. The fat from the chicken skin will seep into the vegetables below the thighs, imparting flavor and moisture while the exposed vegetables get a tiny bit charred. It’s a perfect marriage of texture and flavor.

Bake at 500°F for 50 minutes.

If, due to a senior moment, you bought boneless skinless thighs, reduce the time to 30-40 minutes. They’re done when the chicken temperature is over 185°F.

You don’t have to be concerned about the vegetables burning at such a high temperature because they’re nestled closely together. The most you’ll get will be a few crusty edges, and those are delightful.

Serve.

Variations:

Add fresh rosemary or thyme to the vegetables.

Rub the chicken (not the skin) with lemon or orange zest. (Rosemary and orange are a heavenly match.)

Reinvent the meal with different vegetable combinations: onion, potato, carrot; leek and asparagus; onion and sweet potato, green bean, Brussels sprouts, and cauliflower. If you love it, try it. The worst that can happen is it’s not great and you won’t make it again.

Skillet Chicken Thighs

Skillet Chicken Thighs

with Potatoes, Carrots, and Greens

Yield: 2 Servings

Simply Recipes

This bistro-style crispy chicken is braised with carrots, potatoes, and, for good measure, greens in a mustard and lemon seasoned chicken broth. It all comes together easily in a skillet and adds up to a satisfying, flavorful meal.

  • 4bone-in, skin-on, chicken thighs (24 oz)
  • ¼tsp salt
  • tsp pepper
  • 1TBS olive oil
  • 12oz Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into 1-inch chunks
  • 6oz baby carrots
  • 2whole, unpeeled cloves garlic, smashed with the flat of a knife to break the skin
  • ½bunch Swiss chard
  • 1cups chicken stock
  • ½TBS Dijon mustard
  • finely grated zest of ½ lemon
  • ¼tsp dried thyme
  • lemon juice
  • ¼cup chopped parsley

Preheat the oven to 400˚F.

Trim and season the chicken thighs: With scissors or a sharp knife, cut off excess flaps of skin and fat from the thighs. Sprinkle salt and pepper on both sides.

Prep the chard stalks and leaves: Tear or cut the stalks from the leaves. Cut the stalks into 1-inch pieces. Slice the leaves into 2-inch-wide strips. Keep the stalks and leaves separate.

Brown the chicken and par-cook the potatoes and carrots: In a large (12- to 13-inch) ovenproof skillet (NOT cast iron) set over medium-high heat, add the oil. Once the oil shimmers, add the chicken with the skin side down. Cook on the skin side only for about 5 minutes without disturbing it, or until the skin lightly browns.

Transfer to a plate. (If the chicken doesn’t fit in one skillet, cook in batches, or use two smaller skillets and divide the ingredients between them.)

Add the potatoes and carrots to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes, or until they brown lightly.

Prep the braising liquid: In a bowl or measuring cup, whisk the chicken stock, mustard, and lemon zest to combine.

Braise the chicken: Add the chard stalks, smashed garlic and braising liquid to the skillet with the vegetables. Set the chicken pieces on top and sprinkle with the thyme.

Transfer to the oven: Transfer the pan to the oven. Roast, uncovered, for 30 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender. Remove the pan from the oven.

Add the chard leaves: Transfer the chicken thighs to a plate. Taste the broth and add more salt, if you like. Set the skillet over high heat and bring the liquid to a boil. Stir the chard leaves into the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or just until wilted. Remove the garlic cloves.

Serve: Set the chicken on top of the vegetables. Squeeze the lemon over the chicken and sprinkle with the parsley. Serve from the skillet, or transfer to a large serving platter. Serve as is, or with a salad.

Chicken Korma

Chicken Korma

Yield: 2 Servings
BBC

Leave the curry to stand for 30 minutes before reheating if you have time – it helps the aromatic flavors develop.

For the chicken

  • 4boneless, skinless chicken thighs, trimmed of excess fat and quartered
  • ½tsp ground turmeric
  • 1TBS lime or lemon juice
  • 2tsp rapeseed or sunflower oil
  • ½tsp fine sea salt

For the sauce

  • 2TBS sunflower oil or 1 TBS ghee
  • 1tsp cumin seeds
  • 1medium onion, very finely chopped
  • 4garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 2tsp finely grated fresh root ginger
  • ½14 oz can chopped tomatoes, blended until smooth (alternatively use passata)
  • 1tsp tomato purée
  • 1tsp ground turmeric
  • 1heaped tsp garam masala
  • ¼tsp hot chili powder
  • oz ground almonds
  • 8oz full-fat milk
  • ½tsp coarsely ground black pepper
  • freshly cooked rice and fresh coriander, to serve

Put the chicken thighs in a bowl with the turmeric, lime or lemon juice, oil and salt. Toss together well and set aside for 10 minutes.

To make the sauce, heat the oil or ghee in a saucepan and add the cumin seeds. Once they start to sizzle, add the chopped onion, garlic and ginger and cook gently for 5–6 minutes over a low heat, or until well softened, stirring regularly.

Tip the tomatoes and tomato purée into the pan and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring. Next, stir in the turmeric, garam masala, chili powder, black pepper and a tsp of salt. Add the ground almonds and milk and cook on a low heat for 10 minutes, or until thickened, stirring regularly.

While the sauce is cooking, heat a griddle pan or heavy-based frying pan. Cook the chicken pieces for 8–10 minutes, or until lightly browned and cooked through, turning occasionally.

Add the chicken to the sauce, cover loosely and simmer gently together for 5–6 minutes, stirring regularly. It’s important to cover the pan as the sauce will splatter a little as it cooks. If it becomes too thick, add a splash of water. If you have time, leave the curry to stand for 30 minutes before serving, then reheat gently. Serve with rice on the side and fresh coriander scattered over.

Thighs B/S Grilled Middle Eastern Herb and Garlic Chicken

Thighs B/S Grilled Middle Eastern Herb and Garlic Chicken

Yield: 4 Servings
Adapted from: Melissa Clark / NY Times

This recipe was inspired by the Middle Eastern dried seasoning mix called za’atar, a combination of herbs (usually thyme, oregano and marjoram), sesame seeds and sumac, often spiked with salt. Here, plenty of lemon and garlic, are used to marinated boneless chicken thighs.
Optimum marinating time here is 8 hours. But feel free to leave it for as little as 15 minutes or as long as 24 hours. If you would rather use white meat, substitute boneless skinless breasts but reduce the cooking time by a few minutes.

  • 6boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 1¾ lb)
  • 6garlic cloves, grated on a Microplane or minced
  • juice and zest of 2 lemons
  • 3TBS extra-virgin olive oil, more for serving
  • 2TBS minced fresh parsley, more for serving
  • 1-2TBS za’atar
  • tsp kosher salt, more as needed
  • 1TBS sesame seeds, more for garnish (optional)
  • cup plain Greek yogurt, preferably whole milk yogurt
  • ¼tsp ground black pepper


Marinate:

Combine chicken with all but 1 tsp of the grated garlic (save that tsp for the yogurt sauce), the zest and juice of 1 lemon, oil, parsley, za’atar, 1½ tsp salt, and the sesame seeds. Cover and marinate for 15 to 30 minutes at room temperature; you can refrigerate it for up to 24 hours.

Grill/Broil:

Heat grill or broiler. If grilling, cook chicken over high heat until charred in spots, 4 to 7 minutes. Flip pieces and continue grilling until just cooked through, another 4 to 7 minutes. If broiling, arrange a rack 3 to 4 inches from flame. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and spread chicken out in a single layer. Broil chicken, turning halfway through cooking, until well colored and charred in spots, 4 to 7 minutes per side. Be careful that it doesn’t burn.

Make dipping sauce:

While chicken cooks, place yogurt in a small bowl. Stir in the reserved grated garlic and lemon zest and season to taste with salt. Serve the chicken drizzled with olive oil, remaining lemon juice to taste, black pepper, parsley and sesame seeds and sumac, if using, with the yogurt alongside for dipping.

Thighs, B/S Honey-Citrus

Thighs, B/S Honey-Citrus

Yield: 4 Servings
Adapted from: WaPo

The chicken thighs are seasoned and browned on both sides in a skillet. Then, they are removed and set aside, so that the chicken drippings can form the tasty base for a honey-citrus sauce made with fresh orange juice and thinly sliced onion and lemons, along with a healthy dose of honey and a pinch of dried oregano.
Once the sauce has simmered a bit, thickening enough to coat the chicken pieces, the thighs are returned to the pan and turned a few times. Add a crispy salad or a side of al dente vegetables, such as green beans or asparagus, and, voila, you’ve got dinner.

  • 8boneless skinless chicken thighs (about 1⅓ lb)
  • Kosher salt
  • freshly ground black pepper
  • 3TBS extra-virgin olive oil
  • ¾cup thinly sliced red onion (about ½ a large onion)
  • ¼cup fresh orange juice (about 1 large orange)
  • 3TBS honey
  • 2TBS water
  • 1thin-skinned lemon, halved and thinly sliced in half-rounds
  • ½tsp dried oregano
  • 2TBS chopped fresh basil leaves (optional)

Pat the chicken pieces dry with a clean towel. Season both sides with salt and pepper. Let the chicken rest at room temperature while you prep other ingredients.

Preheat the oven to 200°F.

In a large, nonstick skillet or a well-seasoned cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, heat the oil until shimmering. Reduce the heat to medium. Working in batches, if necessary, and without overcrowding the pan, add the thighs and sear, without moving, until golden-brown on one side, about 10 minutes. Flip each piece and repeat on other side until browned, about 6 more minutes.

If the chicken sticks, use a thin spatula to gently loosen. The chicken is done when an instant-read thermometer registers 165°F when inserted into the thickest part of the thigh. Transfer the browned chicken to an ovenproof dish, cover and keep warm in the oven.

In the same pan over medium heat, add the onions and cook until softened, about 4 minutes. Add the orange juice, honey, water, lemon slices and oregano and bring to a boil. Then reduce the heat and simmer for about 2 minutes, scraping any browned bits that stuck to the pan.

When the lemon slices are softened and the sauce is thickened, return the chicken thighs to the pan, turning each piece several times to coat in the sauce.

If desired, place the chicken on a serving platter. Spoon the sauce over each piece. Sprinkle with the fresh basil, if desired, and serve.

Serve with a veggie-filled green salad.