Thai Style Chicken Breasts In Foil Food

CHICKEN BREASTS IN FOIL WITH ROSEMARY AND OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Tear off two sheets of aluminum foil, each about 18 inches square, and place one on top of the other. Use 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to smear a patch in the center of the foil, large enough to hold the chicken side by side. Make a bed of the spinach in the center, then top with the chicken breasts, salt and pepper to taste the rosemary sprigs and leaves, and another tablespoon of oil. Sprinkle the lemon zest and juice over the chicken.
• Fold the foil over the chicken onto itself and crimp the edges as tightly as possible by making 1- or 2-inch folds, one after the other, each sealing the other. Seal the package very tightly, but leave plenty of room around the chicken. (You can prepare the recipe up to 3 hours in advance to this point; refrigerate the package.)
• Place a skillet large enough to hold the package over high heat. A minute later, add the remaining oil, then pour out all but a film. Put the package in the skillet; it will sizzle. About 2 minutes later, the package will expand like a balloon; be careful of the escaping steam. Cook for 5 minutes longer from that point.
• Remove the package from the heat, again taking care to avoid any escaping steam. Let rest for 1 minute, then cut a slit down the length of the top with a knife. Use a knife and fork to open up the package, then spoon the chicken, spinach, and juices onto a plate and serve.

FIRST PLACE WINNER: THAI-INSPIRED STUFFED CHICKEN BREAST AND SLAW

Steps:

• For the chicken: In a large bowl, mix the rice, coconut, green onion, basil, cilantro, chili sauce, 1 tablespoon lime juice, and zest from 1 lime. Place chicken between 2 sheets of plastic wrap and pound to even thickness. Place equal amounts of rice mixture on each breast half. Wrap chicken around filling, securing with toothpicks. In a glass pie plate, mix together flour, zest of 1 lime, salt and pepper. In another plate, mix coconut milk, and 2 tablespoons lime juice. In third plate, mix together peanuts, panko, black and white sesame seeds. Roll chicken breasts, 1 at a time, first in flour mixture, then in coconut milk mixture and finally in peanut mixture, coating well. In shallow baking pan, arrange chicken, seam side down and place in 350 degree F oven. Bake 30 minutes or until juices run clear.
• For slaw: In a large bowl mix together all ingredients and refrigerate.
• To plate: Place slaw on serving platter, removed picks from chicken and add chicken to plate. Garnish with cucumber, lime and cilantro.

THAI-STYLE CHICKEN SKEWERS

Steps:

• Pound each chicken breast between 2 lightly oiled sheets of parchment or waxed paper into a 4 by 4 inch piece about 1/8-inch thick.
• Lay a piece of chicken smooth-side down on the work surface. Spread 1/2 teaspoon of the chile paste over the surface and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Trim and halve the scallions lengthwise. Lay them side-by-side across the lower third of the chicken, so there is white and greens at both ends. Top with 2 or 3 pieces of the red and yellow peppers. Roll the chicken around the vegetables into a tight cylinder. Thread a wooden skewer through the seam of the roll to seal. Repeat with the remaining chicken and vegetables to make 4 rolls. These can be made up to 24 hours ahead and refrigerated.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Heat the oil in an oven-proof nonstick skillet over high heat. Season the rolls with salt and pepper, to taste. Lay the rolls, seam side down, in the pan, and cook, turning occasionally, until browned, about 2 minutes. Transfer the pan to the oven, and cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes more. Meanwhile, make the sauce. Combine the lime juice, fish sauce, water, chile paste, honey, mint and coriander in a small bowl and set aside.
• To serve: Carefully remove the skewers, taking care to keep the rolls intact. Cut across the rolls to make round pieces about 3/4-inch thick, and thread onto skewers. Transfer to a platter, sprinkle with peanuts and serve with the dipping sauce.

CHICKEN BREASTS IN FOIL WITH TOMATOES, OLIVES, AND PARMESAN

Steps:

• Tear off two sheets of aluminum foil, each about 18 inches square, and place one on top of the other. Use the olive oil to smear a patch in the center of the foil, large enough to hold the chicken. Make a bed of the tomato slices, in the center, then top with the chicken breasts, salt and pepper to taste, the Parmesan, and thyme leaves. Add the olives and thyme sprigs.
• Fold the foil over the chicken onto itself and crimp the edges as tightly as possible by making 1- or 2-inch folds, one after the other, each sealing the other. Seal the package very tightly, but leave plenty of room around the chicken. (You can prepare the recipe up to 3 hours in advance to this point; refrigerate the package.)
• Place a skillet large enough to hold the package over high heat. A minute later, add the remaining oil, then pour out all but a film. Put the package in the skillet; it will sizzle. About 2 minutes later, the package will expand like a balloon; be careful of the escaping steam. Cook for 5 minutes longer from that point.
• Remove the package from the heat, again taking care to avoid any escaping steam. Let rest for 1 minute, then cut a slit down the length of the top with a knife. Use a knife and fork to open up the package, then spoon the chicken, garnish, and juices onto a plate and serve.

THAI CHICKEN BREASTS

Steps:

• combine the gingerrot, garlic and red pepper flakes in a cup and set aside.
• Mix flour with salt and pepper to taste and dredge chicken pieces in this.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet.
• Saute the chicken until browned on both sides and cooked through.
• Remove the chicken and put in a warm dish, set aside in low oven to keep warm.
• Add the ginger-garlic mixture to the skillet and saute until lightly browned.
• Add the soy sauce, brown sugar, vinegar and fish sauce (if using).
• Bring the mixture to a boil.
• Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until the sauce reduces and thickens.
• Pour the sauce over the chicken pieces in the warm serving dish and keep warm until ready to serve.
• Trim and shred the sugar snap peas diagonally.
• Just prior to serving sprinkle the top of the chicken with the shredded snap peas.