Bettys Mediterranean Chicken Parcels Food

EASY MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken breasts on sheet of waxed paper. Sprinkle 1/8 teaspoon of the salt evenly over chicken breasts; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons of the basil; press lightly. Turn chicken breasts over. Sprinkle remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt over chicken; sprinkle with 2 tablespoons basil. Cover with another sheet of waxed paper. Pound chicken with rolling pin or meat mallet to 1/2-inch thickness.
• In 12-inch skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken breasts. Cook 5 to 6 minutes on each side or until golden brown on outside and no longer pink in center. Remove chicken to plate; cover to keep warm.
• Return skillet to medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and tapenade to skillet. Cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until tomatoes just begin to soften and mixture is heated through. Serve tomato mixture over chicken; top with remaining 2 tablespoons basil.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN PARCELS

Steps:

• Cut four pieces of foil about 10 in square. Brush the squares with the oil and set aside until needed.
• With a sharp knife, slash each chicken breast at intervals, then slice the mozzarella and place between the cuts in the chicken.
• Divide the courgettes and tomatoes between the pieces of foil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roughly chop the basil or oregano and scatter over the vegetables in each parcel.
• Place the chicken on top of each pile of veggies then wrap in the foil to enclose the vegetables and chicken, tucking in the ends.
• Place on a cookie sheet and bake in a preheated 400°F oven for about 30 minutes.
• To serve, unwrap each foil parcel and serve with rice or pasta.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine the flour and cayenne in a shallow bowl. Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet on medium flame until hot.
• Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour. Place the chicken in the hot skillet and cook until lightly golden, about 3 minutes.
• Turn the chicken over, add the lemon juice, lemon slices, garlic, olives, 1 1/2 tablespoons of the parsley, and the salt and pepper. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes, shaking the pan occasionally and stirring the olive mixture gently to avoid burning the garlic.
• Add the butter to the pan, shaking to combine the sauce.
• Place the chicken breasts on a serving plate, then pour the olive mixture over the top. Garnish with the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons of the fresh parsley.

CHICKEN, MOZZARELLA & PESTO FILO PARCELS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and put a baking tray in to heat.
• Grind together the oil, basil and pine nuts in a pestle and mortar to make a rough pesto. If you don't have a pestle and mortar, chop the basil and nuts very finely and mix with the oil. Season.
• Put the chicken, tomatoes and mozzarella in a bowl and stir in the pesto. Season well.
• Pile up the filo pastry on a board, then cut in half to make two squares (each with four pastry layers). Set one pile aside and with the other pile, twist each sheet around slightly to make a star outline.
• Spoon half the mixture on to one of the piles of pastry. Brush a little melted butter around the base, then gather up the outsides and scrunch them together. Brush half the remaining butter over the top. Repeat with the remaining ingredients to make another filo parcel.
• Transfer the parcels to the preheated baking tray and bake in the oven for about 25 mins until golden. Serve with green vegetables or salad.

GARLIC CHICKEN PARCELS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C Fan/gas 7. Cut a slit halfway in each chicken breast, then put each one between two pieces of baking parchment and bash with a rolling pin to flatten slightly.
• Cut your sheet of pastry in half widthways and put both halves on a baking tray. Sit a chicken breast on top of each half, then cram the cavities with the Boursin (don't worry if a bit of cheese oozes out). Season, scatter over the lemon zest then fold the edges of the pastry in to the centre and pinch shut. Flip each parcel over so the seal is on the bottom. Brush with a little oil, then bake for 30 mins until deep golden.
• About 10 mins before your parcels are ready, steam or boil the greens until tender. Toss in the oil and season. Serve alongside your chicken parcels with lemon wedges for squeezing over.

BETTY'S MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN PARCELS

Steps:

• 1. In a heavy based fry pan cook the chicken in the oil so the are completely cooked - about 5-6 minutes each side depending on how thick your chicken is. Set aside to cool a bit.
• 2. In the same pan, Add the tomatoes and peppers and cook for a full 3 minutes. Add the garlic, olives and oregano and stir until the garlic is fragrant. Add salt and pepper is desired.
• 3. Grab two filo sheets, top one end with a cooked chicken piece and then top with 2 dessertspoons of tomato sauce. Carefully fold the filo to make a neat parcel. Repeat with all the chicken and tomato sauce. If making these for later - pop on a large plate and cover well and place in the fridge until needed.
• 4. Place the chicken parcels on a large baking try and brush liberally with the melted butter. Bake in a 180oC (365oF) oven for 20-25 minutes.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN WITH ROASTED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/ Gas 6/fan oven 180C. Spread the potatoes, courgette, onion, pepper and tomatoes in a shallow roasting tin and scatter over the olives. Season with salt and coarsely ground black pepper.
• Slash the flesh of each chicken breast 3-4 times using a sharp knife, then lay the chicken on top of the vegetables.
• Mix the olive oil and pesto together until well blended and spoon evenly over the chicken. Cover the tin with foil and cook for 30 minutes.
• Remove the foil from the tin. Return to the oven and cook for a further 10 minutes until the vegetables are juicy and look tempting to eat and the chicken is cooked through (the juices should run clear when pierced with a skewer).

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• Mix together the first seven ingredients (from the cheese through to the black pepper) on a piece of waxed paper - saves on washing up later! - or if you prefer on a plate; put the oil in a shallow dish.
• Dip the chicken breast halves in the oil, then coat them evenly with the cheese/breadcrumb mixture.
• Spray a non-stick skillet with cooking spray and set over a medium heat; add the chicken and cook, turning once, for 15 minutes, or until golden brown and the juices run clear.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN PARCELS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200c/gas 6. Push a metal skewer through the middle of the potatoes and place in the oven.
• Place the Courgettes in the middle of a lightly oiled piece of foil, one piece of foil for each person.
• Cut a pocket in the side of the chicken breast, spread with pesto; tuck in mozzarella. Place on top of courgettes,add tomatoes and wrap the foil over. Fold top; tuck in ends.