Kalamata Lemon Chicken Food

GREEK-STYLE LEMONY CHICKEN BREASTS WITH KALAMATA OLIVES AND FETA

Steps:

• Set oven to 350°F.
• Grease a 13 x 9-inch baking dish.
• Slice each clove of garlic into three slices.
• Lift the skin gently from the chicken breasts without detaching it and place the 3 slices of garlic under the skin of each breast, then replace the skin.
• Gently rub each breast with 1 tablespoon olive oil, then season each breast with salt and pepper.
• Place the lemon slices in the bottom of the prepared baking dish, then arrange the chicken over the lemon.
• Sprinkle the oregano over the chicken and toss the olives all around the chicken pieces in the dish.
• Drizzle more olive oil around the chicken pieces if desired this is not necessary but I like to do it!).
• Bake for about 40 minutes or until the chicken is done.
• Remove from oven and sprinkle with feta cheese.

PAN SEARED CHICKEN WITH OLIVES

Steps:

• For the chicken: Using a meat mallet, evenly pound the chicken breast halves between 2 sheets of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thickness. Put the chicken into a heavy resealable bag or 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add the oil, parsley, shallots and garlic; sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper and mix in the bag or toss in the baking dish until the chicken is coated in the marinade. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Using tongs, remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing the oil to drain. (It's ok if some of the garlic and shallots still cling to the chicken.) Discard the marinade.
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large (12- to 14-inch) skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the chicken breasts, 2 at a time, being sure to space them out in the skillet. (Avoid over-crowding, or you won't get a good sear.) Sear until light golden on the first side, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and sear on the other side until the chicken is cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes more. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. Cook the remaining 2 chicken breasts, adding another tablespoon of oil if needed. Reserve the skillet for the sauce.
• For the pan sauce: In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, basil if using and the garlic; season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Set aside.
• Pour out all but 2 tablespoons oil from the skillet. If the skillet is dry and more oil is needed, add about 2 tablespoons. Over medium heat, add the olives and shallots and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the vinegar and cook, scraping up any browned bits in the skillet. Whisk in the chicken broth and any pan juices the chicken released on the platter and bring to a simmer. Cook until the liquid has reduced by half. Stir in the mustard, add the seasoned tomatoes and cook, stirring, until heated through, about 1 minute; season with salt and pepper if needed.
• Spoon the sauce over the chicken on the platter, garnish with chopped herbs if using and serve immediately with the Winter Greens Salad on the side if desired.
• Put the arugula, frisee and radicchio into a salad bowl and toss to combine. Drizzle the vinegar over the greens and toss until coated; drizzle the oil over the top and toss again. Add the cheese, season with salt and pepper and toss until well combined. Serve immediately.

LEMON SAUCE FOR CHICKEN

Steps:

• In saucepan bring chicken stock to a boil and then add lemon juice, sugar and zest.
• Return mixture to a boil.
• Blend together cornstarch and cold water and stir into the lemon sauce.
• Cook until thickened, stirring frequently and adjust seasoning to taste.

KALAMATA CHICKEN

Steps:

• First preheat oven to 350 degrees.
• Spray a long pan with spray of olive oil in bottom of glass pan. Place chicken thighs in bottom of pan. Put all of the wine or lemon juice on top of the chicken. then add lemon slices {squeeze the lemons on top of the chicken. Add the seasoning and parsley,garlic, essence,olives including half the bottle of juice and all of the olives. I slice them on top of the chicken.
• Bake 45 minutes to an hour til juices run clear in the chicken.Goes well with salad and french bread made into garlic bread.
• Serve over pasta.

GRILLED BASIL LEMON CHICKEN

Steps:

• Zest the lemon and squeeze the juice, combine zest and juice with oil, basil and garlic in a small bowl.
• Put chicken breasts between wax paper and pound to an even thickness.
• Place in glad bag or bowl with marinade and leave for 30 minutes to 20 hours.
• Grill chicken on bbq, broil it, or even cook it in a hot skillet, 6-8 minutes approximately.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN WITH TOMATOES, KALAMATA AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then brown on both sides (about 3-4 minutes on each side) remove to a large platter, cover with foil to keep warm (I put my plate in a 200 degree oven to stay warm).
• To the same skillet, add in the mushrooms and saute until all of the liquid is absorbed (about 6-7 minutes).
• Add in onions, garlic and dried chili flakes (if using) to the mushrooms and saute for about 3-4 minutes.
• Add in the chicken broth; simmer for about 6 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed.
• Add in the Kalamata olives, plum tomatoes and capers, season with salt and pepper; bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the liquid is reduced by half.
• Add in butter and stir until melted.
• Mix in the small teardrop tomatoes; simmer for about 5 minutes (you can simmer a bit longer).
• Season again with salt and pepper.
• Spoon the mixture over the chicken.
• Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.

KALAMATA-LEMON CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degree F.
• In a 4-quart Dutch oven brown chicken in hot oil over medium-high heat for 5 minutes, turning once.
• Stir in orzo, olives, the can of broth, lemon wedges, lemon juice, Greek Seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper.
• Cover and bake for 35 minutes or until chicken is tender and no longer pink.
• Serve in shallow bowls with additional broth, if desired. Top with snipped oregano.