Simple Simon Chicken Food

ONE-POT CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat a large pot over medium heat. Add the oil. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Add the chicken to the pot and cook until browned, turning as needed, about 3 minutes per side (you may need to cook in batches). Remove the chicken to a baking sheet or plate as done.
• Add the onions and a pinch of salt to the pot and saute about 2 minutes. Add the garlic, carrot and celery and saute about 2 minutes.
• Add the liquid to the pot and stir with a wooden or other heatproof spoon, scraping up the bottom of the pot for the tasty bits. Add the tomatoes and beans and bring to simmer.
• Return the chicken to the pot and bring to a simmer. Cook until the chicken is cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. Or, bake at 350 degrees F, uncovered, until the chicken is cooked through.
• Remove the pot from the heat and stir in the greens if you have them.

PAP'S CHICKEN PAPRIKASH

Steps:

• For the chicken paprikash: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Season the chicken with one-third of the paprika (1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon), 1 tablespoon salt and some pepper.
• Heat the oil and chicken fat or butter in a large ovenproof pan over medium heat. When hot, add the chicken and brown for 2 minutes per side; remove to a plate. Add the onions, cabbage and remaining paprika (2 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons) and cook, stirring occasionally, until starting to soften, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the flour and cook the roux, stirring, for 2 minutes. Stir in the stock, making sure there are no lumps.
• Return the chicken to the pan skin-side up. Bake until the chicken is cooked through and measures 160 degrees F, 20 to 35 minutes.
• For the spaetzle: While the chicken is cooking, bring a saucepan of water to a boil.
• Sift the flour and 1 teaspoon salt into a bowl. Make a well and mix in the eggs and milk.
• Dampen a plastic cutting board and place the dough mixture on it. Cut off strips of dough into the water and cook for 3 minutes. Drain the spaetzle and rinse under cold water. Set aside until the chicken is done.
• Add the spaetzle to the chicken pan, stir in the sour cream and parsley if using and serve.

PERFECT ROAST CHICKEN WITH POTATO CAKES

Steps:

• For the chicken: Place a heavy-bottomed pan in the oven (I prefer cast iron) and preheat the oven to 500 degrees F.
• Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Rub the chicken with the lemon halves and season liberally with salt and pepper. Drizzle the chicken with the olive oil.
• Carefully remove the hot pan from the oven, arrange the chicken in it breast-side up and place the pan on the middle rack. Roast until the thickest part of the chicken measures 160 degrees F, about 45 minutes. Let rest for 5 minutes before carving.
• For the potato cakes: While the chicken is cooking, thoroughly mix together the sweet potatoes, eggs, onion, Old Bay and paprika. Season with salt and pepper. Form the mixture into 6 patties.
• While the chicken is resting, place the pan it was cooked in over medium-high heat with the rendered chicken fat. Working in batches and adding more oil if necessary, cook the patties, flattening them slightly with a spatula, until golden brown and crisp, 4 to 6 minutes per side.
• Serve the sweet potato cakes with the chicken and some lemon wedges on the side.

CRISPY BAKED CHICKEN WINGS

Steps:

• For the wings: Preheat your oven to 450 degrees F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil and brush the foil with the oil.
• Pat the wings dry with paper towels, then sprinkle with the baking powder and toss to evenly coat in a large mixing bowl. Spread the wings evenly on the prepared baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, crispy and cooked through, 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through.
• For the dry rub: Combine the brown sugar, salt, black pepper, granulated sugar, paprika, chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, cayenne and celery seeds in a small bowl.
• Remove the wings from the oven and add to another large mixing bowl. Season well with some of the rub, and then toss to coat. (Reserve the remaining rub for another use.) Serve immediately.

CHICKEN SIMON AND GARFUNKEL

Steps:

• Pound the chicken breast halves to flatten.
• Place 1 slice of cheese on top of each breast, roll up, and secure with toothpicks.
• Dip each breast into beaten egg, then roll in mixture of half flour and half bread crumbs until well coated.
• Place breasts in greased baking dish.
• Mix parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme into melted butter. Pour over chicken.
• Bake 30 minutes in a 325 deg. F. oven.
• Pour wine over chicken and bake another 25-30 minutes.

HONEY BRINED CHICKEN WITH LEMON AND SAGE

Steps:

• Mix honey, salt, water, bay leaves, and garlic together. Pull skin away from chicken just enough to place sage leaves and lemon slices under skin. Truss the chicken and tie the other end of the butcher's twine to the pot handle for a quick retrieval of the brined chicken. Place chicken in liquid and let sit in cooler for 12 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place chicken on roasting rack in oven and brush with olive oil. Bake for about 45 to 50 minutes or until juices run clear.

LIZZIE'S CHICKEN CUTLETS

Steps:

• Set up your grill for cooking with direct and indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only.
• Cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise, so you have thinner chicken cutlets. Cover the chicken breasts with plastic wrap and gently pound out to an even thickness, about 1/4 inch.
• To a mixing bowl, add the flour, garlic powder, 2 teaspoons paprika and 1 teaspoon curry powder. Season with salt and pepper and whisk to combine well. To another mixing bowl, add the breadcrumbs, remaining 2 teaspoons paprika and remaining teaspoon curry powder. Season with salt and pepper and whisk to combine well. Whisk together the eggs and mustard in another mixing bowl.
• Place a large cast-iron pan on the direct-heat side of the grill to preheat. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Dredge the chicken in the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumb mixture, shaking off any excess in between. When the pan is hot, add enough olive oil so that it's 1/2-inch deep. Bring the oil to 350 degrees F, then add half the chicken, leaving plenty of space in between. Cook the chicken until golden brown, then flip and brown on the other side, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove the chicken to a cooling rack set over a baking sheet to drain off any extra oil. Repeat with the remaining chicken, adding additional olive oil to the pan, if needed. Serve and enjoy!

MOM'S CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, olive oil, oregano, rosemary, chile flakes, nutmeg, salt, pepper and garlic. Place the chicken pieces in a resealable bag and pour the marinade in, coating all of the meat. Allow the chicken to marinate, refrigerated, 1 to 4 hours or up to overnight.
• Set up a grill for cooking with indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only. Allow the temperature to come up to 375 degrees F.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade. Place the chicken pieces skin-side up on the indirect-heat side of the grill and close the lid. Cook the chicken until almost cooked through, about 10 minutes. Move the chicken pieces over to the direct heat side of the grill and cook until nicely charred and cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from the grill and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

CITY CHICKEN

Steps:

• Set up a grill for cooking with indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only.
• Thread the pork cubes onto eight 6-inch skewers, dividing evenly. Set aside.
• In a bowl, whisk together the flour and 1 teaspoon paprika. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside. In another bowl, whisk together the breadcrumbs and 1 teaspoon paprika. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and remaining 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside.
• Dredge the skewers in the flour, then egg, then breadcrumb mixture, shaking off any excess in between. Place a large cast-iron pan on the direct-heat side of the grill. Add enough olive oil to come 1 to 1 1/2 inches up the side of the pan. Once the oil is hot, add the pork skewers in batches. Do not overcrowd the pan! Cook, allowing to deeply brown on all sides, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Once all the skewers are browned, return them all to the pan, then move the pan to the indirect-heat side of the grill and finish cooking until the internal temperature reaches 150 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes more. Serve!

TUSCAN STYLE ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Set up a grill for cooking with direct and indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only. Place a large cast-iron pan on the direct-heat side of the grill to preheat.
• Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper on both sides. Add a film of olive oil to the pan, followed by the chicken pieces, skin-side down. Allow the chicken to deeply brown, 4 to 5 minutes, then flip and add the garlic. Briefly sauté until fragrant, then deglaze with the vermouth. Scatter in the tomatoes, olives and oregano bundle. Add the chicken stock and season with salt and pepper. Move the pan to the indirect-heat side of the grill and close the lid. Allow to cook until the chicken is cooked through and the internal temperature reads 160 degrees F, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the butter. Discard the oregano bundle. Top with the basil and serve.

CHICKEN AND PORK SOUVLAKI

Steps:

• For the chicken and pork: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the olive oil, yogurt, lemon juice, cumin, oregano, salt, Aleppo pepper, black pepper and garlic.
• Place the chicken and pork into 2 separate mixing bowls. Pour half of the marinade over the chicken and the other half over the pork. Marinate, refrigerated, at least 1 hour and up to overnight.
• Set up your grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only.
• Remove the chicken and pork from the marinade, allowing excess to drain off. Keeping the chicken and pork on separate skewers, thread 4 pieces of meat onto each skewer towards the top and covering the tip of the skewer.
• Place the skewers on the direct-heat side of the grill to char on all sides, about 2 minutes per side. Then move to the indirect-heat side of the grill, cover with the lid and cook until the chicken and pork are cooked through, about 10 minutes, or until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160 degrees F and the pork reaches 145 degrees F. Stack the skewers on a platter.
• For the onions and lemons: Drizzle the onions and lemons with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place on the direct-heat side of the grill. Cook the lemons until charred, about 3 minutes. Cook the onions until tender, about 3 minutes per side.
• Add the onions and lemons to the platter with the souvlaki. Serve with romaine, pita and tzatziki.

CAST-IRON CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the hot coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only to medium-high heat.
• For the chicken and vegetable base: Heat a 12-inch cast-iron skillet over direct heat. Melt the butter. Add the carrots, onions and thyme. Season with salt and pepper and cook until the vegetables begin to soften, 3 to 5 minutes. Stir in the flour, coating the vegetables, and continue to cook for another minute. Whisk in the chicken stock, smoothing out any flour lumps. Simmer until the mixture begins to thicken, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the dumplings: Melt the butter with the jalapeno if using and lime juice in a sauce pot over indirect heat, then let cool.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, celery seeds, salt and lime zest in a large bowl. Mix in the cheese.
• Slowly pour the melted butter mixture into the cold cream in a small bowl and mix together using a fork. (The butter will bead up as you mix.) Pour the butter-cream mixture into the flour mixture and bring together into a soft dough. Set aside.
• Finish the chicken and vegetable base: Add the chicken, peas and parsley to the skillet with the vegetables. Move the skillet over indirect heat and scoop the biscuit mixture on top, covering the surface of the pan. Cover the grill and cook until the biscuits are golden brown and cooked through, about 20 minutes.
• (Alternatively, you can make the sauce and melt the butter mixture on a stovetop, then bake the biscuits in a 375 degrees F oven for 15 to 20 minutes.)

SIMPLE SIMON CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Combine all ingredients for coating chicken in bowl; mix well.
• Brush the chicken lightly with oil and roll in the coating mix.
• Place on cookie sheet, covered with tin foil and bake for 1 hour.