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Sunday, 9 February 2025

Chicken Dinners : Two Ideas ... unless you'd prefer a vegetarian dish!

Chicken has many plus points - its versatility, as well as the ease and speed with which it can be cooked - make it one of the most popular meats around. It has a high level of good quality protein, as well as B vitamins, iron, copper and selenium.

The pale flesh has a close texture and a mild flavour that pairs up well with many different ingredients. Never eat raw chicken, and always thoroughly wash your hands, utensils and cutting board as soon as you've cut or handled raw chicken

Today I share two Chicken dinner recipes you may wish to try ... however, if you prefer to have a vegetarian dish you may like to see these recipe suggestions here

Chicken with grapes and tarragon

Ingredients
Serves Four
1kg chicken legs or 1kg chicken thighs and drumsticks
1 tbsp olive oil
6 echalion shallots, peeled and halved
6 garlic cloves, peeled and left whole
500g red grapes, broken into small clusters
6 tbsp white wine vinegar
20g fresh tarragon, leaves picked
green salad (optional)
crusty bread (optional)
Method
1. Preheat the oven to gas 6, 200°C, fan 180°C. Liberally season the chicken. Heat the oil in a casserole pan over a medium heat, then brown the chicken all over for 10 mins or until deep golden.
2. Push the chicken to one side of the pan, then add the shallots, garlic and the grapes. Stir in the vinegar and 2 tbsp water, then arrange everything in an even layer with the chicken, skin-side up, on the top.
3. Transfer to the oven for 40 mins or until the chicken is crisp and cooked through and the grapes are bursting and juicy. Scatter over the tarragon leaves, then serve with a green salad and some crusty bread, if you like.
Each Serving Contains
Carbohydrate 25.4g Protein 32.1g Fat 25g Fibre 3g
From idea seen here


Pesto chicken one-pot

Ingredients
Serves Four
8 bone-in chicken thighs
1 tbsp olive oil
2 lemons, 1 zested and juiced, 1 cut into wedges to serve
2 onions, cut into thin wedges
2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
3 anchovy fillets, chopped
1 tsp Dijon mustard
1 chicken stock cube, made up to 450ml
150g frozen peas
200g Tenderstem broccoli, chopped
2 tbsp green pesto
10g fresh basil or parsley, leaves picked
crusty bread, to serve (optional)
Method
1. Heat a large flameproof casserole dish over a medium heat. Toss the chicken in the oil and lemon zest; season. Browned for 6-7 mins, skin-side down, until golden and crisp. Turn and brown for a final 4 mins; you might need to do this in batches. Transfer to a plate using a slotted spoon; set aside.
2. Add the onions, garlic and anchovies to the dish and fry for 5 mins until golden. Stir in the mustard, stock and the lemon juice. Bring to the boil and return the chicken, skin-side up. Cover, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for 20 mins. Uncover and cook for a further 25 mins or until the chicken is cooked through.
3. Add the peas and broccoli. Cover and cook for a further 8 mins, or until the veg is just tender.
4. Spoon over the pesto, then top with the basil or parsley leaves and lemon wedges. Serve with warm crusty bread, if you like.
Each Serving Contains
Carbohydrate 12.5g Protein 50.7g Fat 31g Fibre 5.5g
From idea seen here

What is Tenderstem broccoli?
Tenderstem broccoli is the (perfectly natural) love child of Chinese kale and broccoli, star-crossed lovers of the vegetable world.
What does Tenderstem broccoli taste like?
A bit like broccoli but way better - it has a sweet, nutty flavour, similar to asparagus, all wrapped up in a gorgeous crunch.
What is the nutritional value of Tenderstem broccoli?
Tenderstem broccoli has many nutritional benefits. It's high in folates, plus it's a good source of fibre and protein.
Does it have different names?
Yes, Bimi, broccolini, (and Tenderstem) are trademarked names for the hybrid of Chinese Kale and broccoli.

This blog brings a variety of recipe ideas, and it is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health, it is always advisable to consult your doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan

32 comments:

The Happy Whisk said...

Love me some veg. Broccolini is something my local stores haven't had or maybe they did and I missed it. It's so pretty though. Yum!

Tom said...

...I vote for chicken with grapes and tarragon.

Anonymous said...

Never had grapes in a chicken dish, interesting -Christine cmlk79.blogspot.com

Susan Kane said...

This is something I would make, my husband will love it.

J.P. Alexander said...

Gracias por la receta. Te mando un beso

Mari said...

We eat lots of chicken here. These look good! I especially like the one with pesto.

Margaret D said...

They both look tasty.

Angie's Recipes said...

How delicious! Chicken thighs/legs are the best.

Lorrie said...

Chicken is such a versatile meat. I'd vote for the dish with pesto.

Iris Flavia said...

I love chicken.
Ingo, though, used beef for a chicken-recipe. I was skeptical but it is yummy! We´ll have some more tonight.

♥ Łucja-Maria ♥ said...

Dear Jan!
Your suggestions with chicken are delicious. Chicken and pork are the only meats I eat. I have never put grapes with chicken. I assume that the meat is delicious then.
I wish you a nice and sunny Sunday.

jabblog said...

Both those recipes sound wonderful. I didn't know tenderstem broccoli was a hybrid, so thank you for that.

eileeninmd said...

Hello,
Both dishes look delicious! Thanks for sharing the recipes.
Take care, enjoy your day and have a great week!

Jules said...

Pesto Chicken sounds delicious. Xx

My name is Erika. said...

Chicken with grapes. I don't think I've heard of that but it sounds delicious.

HappyK said...

I'd pick the chicken with pesto. Yummy

linda said...

Both look great, which to choose.

Sandra Cox said...

I'm going to keep a look out for the tenderstem broccoli. Thanks for sharing, Jan.

Sue said...

These both look delicious, especially the grapes - yum! xx

Bill said...

I'll go with the chicken.

Mary Kirkland said...

They both look really good. I love broccoli so I would pick that one to make first.

The Furry Gnome said...

Oh, both of those look delicious!

Norma2 said...

Jan, chicken should never be washed because doing so contaminates the countertop with bacteria. If we do, perform the task carefully

Lowcarb team member said...

REPLY TO
Norma2 who said ...
Jan, chicken should never be washed because doing so contaminates the countertop with bacteria. If we do, perform the task carefully

Hello and many thanks for your comment.
Yes, care should always be taken when handling/preparing chicken.
There is a very good article about it on this link here:-
https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cooking-basics/food-safety-handling-and-cooking-poultry/

All the best Jan

Linda said...

What, pray tell, is a flameproof casserole dish? Since I am allergic to mammal meat, most of my meat is boneless chicken breast.

carol l mckenna said...

Oh you always have great recipes ~ thanks ~ hugs,

Wishing you good health, laughter and love in your days,
clm ~ A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Lowcarb team member said...

REPLY TO
Linda who said ...
What, pray tell, is a flameproof casserole dish? Since I am allergic to mammal meat, most of my meat is boneless chicken breast.

Hello Linda, many thanks for your comment and question.
A flameproof casserole dish is a cooking dish that can be used directly on a stove-top burner (exposed flame) as well as in the oven, meaning it is designed to withstand high heat from both sources, allowing you to brown ingredients on the stove before transferring the dish to the oven to finish cooking.

All the best Jan

Conniecrafter said...

They both sound interesting, things I never thought to put with chicken

Shrimpton and Perfect said...

Thank you so much for your recipes, I'll be cooking the chicken pesto tonight.

Ananka said...

My partner would love these chicken dishes! :-D

Jeanie said...

Both of these look really good. The grape one sounds very interesting.

Teresa said...

Hoy hemos comido pollo, y estaba buenísimo. Besos.