Skillet Chicken And Zucchini With Charred Scallion Salsa Food

SKILLET CHICKEN AND ZUCCHINI WITH CHARRED SCALLION SALSA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Pat the chicken very dry and season generously all over with salt and pepper.
• Heat the canola or grapeseed oil in a 12-inch cast-iron pan or other large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high. Once the oil shimmers, add the chicken, skin side down, and cook undisturbed until skin turns golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Flip and cook another 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
• Remove the pan from the heat. Add the zucchini and stir to coat in the chicken fat. Season with salt and pepper. Do your best to arrange the zucchini in an even layer (some overlap is O.K.). Place the chicken, skin side up, on top of the zucchini, transfer to the oven and roast until the chicken is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the salsa: In a medium bowl, stir together the lime juice and jalapeño; set aside. Heat a large skillet over medium. Add the scallions and cook, tossing frequently, until they begin to brown and char in spots, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove and set aside. When cool enough to touch, finely chop the scallions and toss them with the lime mixture. Stir in the cilantro, olive oil and brown sugar until the sugar dissolves. Season to taste with salt.
• Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer to a plate or a cutting board for about 5 minutes. If you want your zucchini more golden, pop it back in the oven while the chicken rests. Slice the chicken, if desired, and return it to the pan or serve it on the bone. Drizzle a few spoonfuls of the salsa over the chicken and season with flaky sea salt, if you'd like. Serve with the remaining salsa at the table.

ROAST CHICKEN WITH CHARRED SCALLION VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Marinade: Peel and julienne the onion. Halve the lemon, then cut it into thin slices. Place zip-top bag into a large mixing bowl to keep contents from spilling, then place sliced onion and lemon into the bag. Pull rosemary and thyme leaves off their sprigs, roughly chop, and add to the bag. Add salt and oil, then mix to combine. Set aside.
• Break down the chicken: First, cut away the wings. Then cut the leg and thigh away from each side, being careful to include the "oysters" from the carcass. Separate the legs from thighs. Cut down either side of the backbone and remove the breasts. (Reserve remaining carcass for stock.) Add the chicken pieces to the marinade and massage the bag to coat. Remove as much air as you can from the bag before sealing it. Marinate at room temperature for 30-45 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 2 hours. (Chef Kaysen doesn't recommend marinating for longer than 2 hours, due to the highly acidic nature of this marinade.)
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Transfer all the contents of the zip-top bag into the mixing bowl. Line a clean surface with paper towels and pat chicken pieces dry. In a large sauté pan over high heat, add oil. When it's hot and shimmering, carefully add the chicken and some of the solids from the marinade to the pan. (Work in batches if necessary; do not crowd the pan.) Sear the chicken, about 2 minutes per side. Evenly distribute butter pieces in the pan. After the skin has begun to caramelize, transfer pan to the oven. Allow to roast for a total of 15-20 minutes, until the juices run clear (not pink) for both the white and dark meat. (Alternatively, chicken is done when an instant-read thermometer registers 165 degrees F.) Meanwhile, make the Charred Scallion Vinaigrette.
• Charred Scallion Vinaigrette: In a sauté pan over high heat, add 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil. When it's hot and shimmering, add the scallions; cook, turning occasionally with tongs, until the scallions are charred all over, 8-10 minutes. Meanwhile, peel and mince the ginger, followed by the garlic. In a mixing bowl, combine the soy sauce, sesame oil, the lemon juice, ginger and garlic. Whisk in remaining grapeseed oil (about 3 tablespoons). Remove charred scallions from the pan; chop and add to vinaigrette. Stir to combine, then taste and adjust with more lemon juice as needed. Set aside.
• Assembly: Remove chicken from oven. It's fully cooked when the meat has shrunk and pulls away from the bone (it's easy to tell on the leg). Arrange chicken pieces on a serving platter, along with plenty of roasted lemon and onion. Spoon Charred Scallion Vinaigrette over the top before serving.

CURRIED CHICKEN BREAST WITH ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Put chicken pieces in a bowl and add 1 tablespoon of the oil, salt and pepper.
• Trim off the ends of the zucchini and cut it into 12 rounds, each about 1/2-inch thick. Add zucchini and curry powder to the chicken and blend well with the fingers to coat the pieces evenly.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a heavy skillet and add the chicken pieces in one layer. Scatter the zucchini rounds between the chicken pieces, preferably in one layer. Cook over moderately high heat until chicken pieces are nicely browned on one side, about 3 minutes. Turn the chicken pieces and the zucchini rounds and cook over moderately low heat about 5 minutes.
• Transfer chicken pieces and zucchini rounds to a warm serving dish.
• Pour off the fat from the skillet and add the butter. Add shallots and cook, stirring, about 30 seconds. Add broth and cook until reduced to about 1/3 cup. Add cream, stir and bring to a boil. Return chicken and zucchini pieces to the sauce and turn the pieces in the sauce. Cook about 2 minutes.

SALSA CHICKEN SKILLET

Steps:

• In a large skillet, saute chicken in oil until no longer pink; drain and set aside. Coat skillet with cooking spray. Saute the mushrooms, green pepper, onion, celery and corn for 6-8 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer. Add salsa and reserved chicken; heat through. Serve with rice. Top with cheese and sour cream.

GARLIC CHICKEN AND ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Toss chicken with 1 tablespoon olive oil and garlic in large bowl. Season, if desired, with salt and black pepper. Preheat large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and cook chicken mixture, stirring occasionally, 6 minutes or until golden brown.* Remove chicken; set aside.
• In same skillet heat remaining oil and cook Recipe Ready Sliced Zucchini, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes or until tender and starting to brown. Add back chicken and toss to heat through. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and, if desired, chopped parsley. Serve with hot cooked rice.

SKILLET CHICKEN AND ZUCCHINI ENCHILADAS WITH TOMATILLO SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 12" (preferably cast-iron) skillet over medium-high. Add onion and cook, stirring, until it starts to soften, about 2 minutes. Add zucchini, coriander, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring, until onion and zucchini are softened and lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Stir 1 1/2 cups salsa, scraping up any brown bits from the pan. Fold in the chicken and cook until warmed through, about 1 minute. Transfer enchilada filling to a medium bowl; set skillet aside (do not wipe out).
• Meanwhile, wrap tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave on high in 30-second bursts, flipping after each burst, until warmed, about 1 minute total. Alternatively, wrap in foil and heat in a 350°F oven until warmed through, 10-12 minutes.
• Pour 1 cup salsa into reserved skillet. Working with one at a time, dip tortillas in salsa until coated on both sides; transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet. Divide enchilada filling among tortillas. Roll each tortilla around filling and place seam side down in skillet, arranging in a pinwheel formation.
• Heat enchiladas over medium-high. Pour remaining salsa over enchiladas, making sure each is coated. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover with a lid or large baking sheet and cook until cheese is melted and enchiladas are warmed through, about 3 minutes. Top with sour cream, avocado, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges alongside.

CRISPY PAN-SEARED CHICKEN AND ZUCCHINI WITH OLIVES AND LEMON

Steps:

• Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Using the tip of your knife, deeply score cut sides in a crosshatch pattern, spacing about 1/2" apart. Toss zucchini and 1 tsp. salt in a colander set over a bowl. Let sit 10 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels (discard any liquid in bowl).
• Meanwhile, coat a large cast-iron skillet with 1 Tbsp oil. Season chicken on all sides with 1/4 tsp. pepper and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and arrange in cold skillet (skin side down) in a single layer. Heat over medium and cook, undisturbed, until skin is deep golden brown and chicken is almost cooked through, 10-12 minutes. Turn chicken and continue to cook just until cooked through and lightly browned underneath, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a platter (skin side up).
• Arrange zucchini (cut side down) in hot chicken fat in skillet. Increase heat to medium-high and cook until surfaces are charred, 6-8 minutes. Turn and continue to cook until skin side is browned, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to platter with chicken.
• Heat garlic and remaining 6 Tbsp. oil in a small saucepan over medium until garlic is sizzling and just barely beginning to brown, 3-4 minutes. Add chile and olives and cook, stirring occasionally, until chile starts to sizzle and brown slightly, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in oregano and lemon zest.
• Spoon garlic oil over zucchini and chicken. Squeeze some lemon juice over and serve with additional wedges alongside.

CHICKEN AND SCALLION QUESADILLA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• To make the beans: Melt the butter in a skillet over medium-high heat, add the cumin and coriander, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the beans, jalapeno, and water and bring to a simmer. Using a potato masher or a large fork to smash the beans into a rough paste. Season with salt and transfer to a bowl.
• Preheat a stovetop grill. Brush or drizzle oil over scallions, and then grill until soft and charred, 5 to 7 minutes. Cool and coarsely chop. In a small bowl, combine chicken with the chipotle and scallions.
• Toast the tortillas directly over a medium gas burner, turning occasionally until slightly blistered on each side. (If you have an electric burner, do this in a dry cast iron skillet.) Place the tortillas on the prepared baking sheet. Spread the beans on half of the tortilla, top with the chicken, salsa, and cheese. Fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling, to make a half moon shape. Lay another sheet of foil over the top of the quesadillas.
• Bake until the cheese melts and the filling hot, about 12 minutes. Serve whole or sliced into wedges, with optional garnishes.
• Hold the tortillas over an open burner until slightly blistered on each side. Put 4 tortillas down on the prepared baking sheet. On each tortilla, layer the fillings, and then top with another tortilla. Lay another sheet of foil over the top of the tortillas. Bake at 350 degrees F. until cheese is melted and the filling is hot, about 12 minutes.
• Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil. When hot, lay a tortilla in the pan. Layer the filling ingredients on one half of the tortilla. Fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling, forming a taco shape. Remove to a prepared baking sheet and continue this process with the remaining tortillas. Bake at 350 degrees F until the cheese is melted and the filling is hot.
• Quesadilla for one:
• Heat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of oil. When hot, lay a tortilla in the pan. Layer the filling ingredients on one half of the tortilla. Fold the other half of the tortilla over the filling, forming a taco shape. Transfer the skillet to the oven, and cook until the cheese is melted and the filling is hot.
• Method for 6-inch tortillas:
• 8 (6-inch) tortillas
• Method for 10-inch tortillas:
• 4 (10-inch) tortillas

ZUCCHINI GARLIC CHICKEN SKILLET

Steps:

• Toss chicken, onions and garlic with the olive oil.
• Lightly brown the chicken while sautéeing the onions and garlic, about 7 or 8 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and potatoes, salt and pepper.
• Cover and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes, until the chicken and potatoes are cooked through.
• Add zucchini during the last few minutes of cooking so it doesn't get too mushy.

FAST, EASY CHICKEN IN SALSA WITH ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Cut the chicken breast pieces into 2 or 3 fingers.
• Trim the ends from the zucchini, and cut them in quarters lengthwise.
• Clean and quarter the mushrooms.
• Saute the chicken in the oil until lightly browned on both sides, then add the zucchini and saute it until lightly browned on all sides.
• Add the mushrooms, cook a minute or two more until they are softened.
• Add the salsa and heat through.
• As you are cooking the vegetables, keep turning the chicken in the pan to ensure it too is cooked through.
• Serve over cous-cous for the fastest dinner, or with noodles or rice.