Peasant Style Greek Chicken Food

THE BEST GREEK CHICKEN MARINADE

Steps:

• Prepare the marinade. Add all ingredients for the marinade (olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, lemon zest, fresh thyme, fresh oregano, fresh rosemary, fresh parsley, salt, and black pepper) to a large shallow mixing bowl. Mix well to combine.
• Marinate the chicken. Add the chicken breasts to the marinade and mix well to coat in the marinade. Allow chicken to marinate for at least 30 minutes to two hours.
• Prepare the grill. Clean grill grates and lightly oil with vegetable oil or cooking spray. Set grill to medium-high heat.
• Grill the chicken. Remove the chicken from the marinade and place directly on the grill. Discard remaining marinade. Cover the grill and allow chicken to cook for approximately 5 minutes before reducing heat to medium. Allow chicken to cook for an additional 2 minutes, then use tongs to flip each breast over. Grill for an additional 5-7 minutes (or longer), or until the thickest part of your chicken registers 160 degrees F. with a digital meat thermometer.
• Allow chicken to rest. Remove chicken breasts from the grill and set aside to a clean plate. Tent with foil and allow to rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. Enjoy!

GREEK CHICKEN AND POTATOES RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Pat chicken dry and season generously with salt (lift the skins and apply salt underneath as well). (see optional step in notes)
• Arrange potato wedges and onions in the bottom of a baking dish or pan. Season with salt and 1 tsp black pepper. Add the chicken pieces (see optional step in notes).
• Make the lemon-garlic sauce. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil with lemon juice, minced garlic, rosemary, and nutmeg. Pour evenly over the chicken and potatoes.
• Arrange lemon slices on top. Pour chicken broth into the pan from one side (do not pour broth over the chicken).
• Bake in heated oven uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour, until chicken and potatoes are tender. (Chicken's internal temperature should register at 165 degrees F). If you like, place the pan under the broiler briefly to allow the chicken skins to gain more color (watch carefully).
• Remove from heat and add kalamata olives, if you like. Garnish with a little bit of fresh parsley.
• Serve with Greek salad Taztaziki sauce and a side of pita bread, if you like. Enjoy!

LEMON GREEK CHICKEN

Steps:

• Combine first 7 ingredients and set aside.
• Spray a 10x13 pan with cooking spray and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. (Use a larger pan if you have it. The more room the stuff has to spread out the better it cooks).
• Rinse potatoes and cut into fourths. Leave skin on if you like. Place in pan.
• Add bell pepper strips, onion wedges and mushrooms to pan.
• Drizzle half the lemon juice mixture over veggies and toss to coat.
• Place chicken on top and drizzle the remaining lemon mixture on top and brush or rub into meat. I use the back of a spoon or my fingers.
• Bake until chicken is no longer pink in center basting after 15 minutes.
• Note: To reduce fat and calories reduce the olive oil as much as you desire and use boneless skinless chicken. Bake for 1 hr if using the bone in chicken.
• IMPORTANT:::: If the potatoes are still not DONE but the chicken IS -- Remove the chicken and cover with foil- keep warm -- Continue to cook the potatoes until done and return the chicken to the pan to serve -- This WILL keep the chicken from getting dry if the potatoes need extra baking time! AND you can toss the foil for no mess clean up!
• Use a stoneware pan if you have one. They conduct the heat better and the dish cooks faster. You may need to adjust the time if using a metal or glass pan.
• I always add more onions, peppers and mushrooms and get my pan WAY too full! Do not be tempted to do the same- I have found it works better to double the sauce and veggies when I want and cook them separately from the meat. Everything gets done faster and more evenly.

GREEK CHICKEN WITH CUCUMBER-FETA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the yogurt and garlic; season to taste with salt and pepper. Transfer 1/2 cup of the yogurt to a medium bowl and reserve for Step 5.
• Coat the chicken: To the large bowl, add the oregano and stir to combine. Season the chicken all over with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and a few grinds of pepper. Add the chicken to the large bowl and turn to coat; set aside.
• Start the salad: Smash the cucumbers with the side of your knife until craggy and split. Rip into ½- to 1-inch pieces and transfer to a colander placed in the sink. Slice or chop the tomatoes into bite-size pieces. Add to the cucumbers along with 1 ½ teaspoons salt. (It may seem like a lot of salt, but most will drain away.) Toss to combine and leave to drain.
• In a large nonstick or well-seasoned cast-iron skillet, heat the olive oil over medium. Scrape excess marinade off the chicken, then cook the chicken in batches, adding oil to the pan if necessary, until it's well browned and releases from the pan, 5 to 7 minutes. Flip and cook until cooked through, another 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to plates to rest. (For grilling info, see Tip.)
• To the medium bowl of yogurt, add the feta and mash with a fork until a chunky paste forms. Shake the cucumbers and tomatoes to get rid of any excess moisture. Add to the feta yogurt along with the olives and stir until coated. The balance is dependent on your produce and feta, so season to taste with salt and pepper until flavors are vivid. Eat alongside the chicken.

PEASANT-STYLE GREEK CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place chicken in a shallow baking dish.
• Arrange potatoes and garlic around chicken.
• Mix together lemon juice and olive oil, salt and pepper, and pour evenly over chicken and potatoes.
• Add just enough water until potatoes are almost about covered.
• Cover chicken and pototoes with 2 Tbsps. of oregano.
• Cover with foil and bake at 350ºF. for 20 minutes.
• Uncover, turn chicken; stir potatoes; and sprinkle on remaining oregano.
• If potatoes aren't at least half-covered with liquid, add more water.
• Return to oven for about 25-30 minutes.
• Chicken is done when both sides are lightly browned and potatoes are soft.
• Good served with crisp bread or pita.

PEASANT-STYLE POT ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 160 degrees centigrade.
• You'll need a large lidded pot (big enough to hold a whole chicken).
• Start by putting a little olive oil in the bottom of the pot. Then line the bottom with the bread slices. Sprinkle the bacon, garlic, chopped celery & carrots and whatever herbs you choose over the bread. This is forming a base for the chicken to sit on, and will later become the gravy.
• Rub salt & pepper over the chicken, then place it on top of the bread & vegetables.
• Place the carrots, onions & potatoes around the sides.
• Pour the wine and stock over the top.
• Cover & place in oven for approximately 2 hours. Check for doneness of both chicken & veg.
• Remove the chicken and large vegetable chunks to an oven-proof dish, turn off the oven and place the dish back inside to keep warm while you finish off the gravy.
• Leaving the gravy/veg mixture in the original pot, use a hand-held food processor to completely liquidise it, then bring it to a boil and simmer to reduce and thicken it. You can add a touch of cream at the very end if you'd like.
• Carve the chicken (which will be practically falling off the bone anyway) & serve with the vegetables and gravy, along with some crusty bread.

GREEK ROASTED CHICKEN AND POTATOES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Place chicken breast side up on a rack in a roasting pan. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and half of the oregano. Arrange potatoes around chicken; sprinkle with salt, pepper and remaining oregano. Pour butter and lemon juice over chicken and potatoes. Add chicken broth to pan., Bake, uncovered, 2-2-1/2 hours or until a thermometer inserted in thigh reads 170°, basting frequently with pan drippings. , Remove chicken from oven; tent with foil. Let stand 15 minutes before carving. If desired, skim fat and thicken pan drippings for gravy. Serve with chicken.

COUSIN COSMO'S GREEK CHICKEN

Steps:

• On a large plate, combine 1 tablespoon flour, salt, and pepper. Set aside. In a small bowl, combine cheese, lemon juice, and oregano. Set aside.
• With a meat mallet, pound each chicken breast to 1/2 inch thickness. Spread cheese mixture on each chicken breast, leaving 1/2 inch border. Fold chicken breasts in half; secure each with toothpick. Coat chicken breasts with flour mixture.
• In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook chicken breasts for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, until golden. In a small bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups water, chicken bouillon cube, and remaining flour; pour over chicken breasts in pan. Add spinach and tomato to skillet, and bring to boil. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 8 to 10 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink inside. Discard toothpicks before serving.

GREEK STYLE ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325.
• Brush chicken with oil.
• Combine oregano, parsley, garlic powder, and garlic salt.
• Rub onto chicken.
• Combine spinach, feta, ham, bread, pine nuts, chives, butter, and pepper.
• Slip fingers in between skin and breast, and Lightly stuff the pockets on both sides.
• Lightly spoon stuffing into main cavity and neck, if desired.
• Place in broiling pan, breast side up.
• Roast for approximately 1 1/2 hours, or until meat thermometer reads 180 when inserted into thigh, and juices run clear.
• Serve with Greek-style rice and veggies!

GREEK-STYLE ROAST CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the potatoes in a roasting tin and drizzle with half the oil. Sit the chicken thighs on top, drizzle over the remaining oil and season. Roast in the oven for 30 mins.
• Add the cherry tomatoes, olives, oregano leaves and feta, then drizzle with the red wine vinegar. Return to the oven for another 25-30 mins until the chicken is cooked through and golden.