Fast and Easy Chicken Two Ways: Salsa and Sesame

I'm always on the look-out for quick dishes that can be thrown together when I walk in from work and am starving. It's nice to have these in mind so I don't go straight for the dessert. :) And these are made with ingredients that I usually have on hand in the pantry. Both are served over rice, and so I usually start that simmering immediately. Salsa Chicken is spicy and Sesame Chicken is sweet--two great choices that both always sound good! Continue for Chicken recipes.

Salsa Chicken

1- 1 1/2 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, but into 1-inch pieces
Several teaspoons of taco seasoning
1 cup prepared salsa (I like medium)
1 small can diced green chiles
1 8oz can tomato sauce
sharp cheddar cheese

Heat a little oil in a skillet over medium heat.
Generously sprinkle chicken on one side with taco seasoning.
Place chicken in single layer in skillet.
Sprinkle top-side of chicken with salt and pepper.
Cook chicken several minutes, until browned.
Flip chicken pieces over, and cook several more minutes, until browned.
Add salsa, chiles, and tomato sauce.
Cover the skillet and simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 5 more minutes.
Sprinkle the top with cheese.
Cover skillet until cheese melts.
Serve over rice.


Easy Sesame Chicken

adapted from Culinary in the Country

3 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 garlic clove, minced
sprinkle of red pepper flakes
2 large egg whites
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 pounds boneless/skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1 1/2"chunks
salt and fresh ground black pepper
2 tablespoons canola oil
1 1/2 pounds broccoli, cut into large florets


In a small bowl, whisk together honey, sesame seeds, soy sauce, garlic, and red pepper flakes.

In a large bowl, whisk together egg whites and cornstarch. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper and toss well to coat.

In a large nonstick skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Place half of the chicken into the skillet - cook, turning occasionally, until golden and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and repeat with remaining tablespoon oil and chicken. Place all of the chicken back into the skillet and pour in the honey sauce - toss well to coat and remove from the heat.

Meanwhile, steam broccoli until crisp-tender.

Serve sesame chicken over the rice and broccoli.

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Chicken and Broccoli Stirfry

One of the things on my growing list of "Must Learn" is to master several great new stirfry sauces. Stirfries are so easy, fresh, and healthful. And a great and quick way to use veggies that need to be used. I have one sauce that I really like that I got years ago from Cooking Light but I need to branch out. So I tried this Spicy Schezuan sauce from Pam Anderson's The Perfect Recipe. It was ok--but not very spicy and too much sesame oil, in my opinion. So, the search continues! Any great suggestions?

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Chicken Nuggets

I called my husband and said that we were having some kind of chicken for dinner and he immediately requested chicken nuggets. He's like a kid--give him burgers, nuggets, and pizza everyday and he would be happy. But they really are nice for a change from "grown-up" food. They're so fast and easy to make--I had forgotten how much I liked the small breaded bites--yum! And you can change around the seasoning of the breading, giving them different tastes. Tonight I served them with bulgur, cooked with a little thyme and garlic, and green beans. Continue for recipe.

Baked Chicken Nuggets

1 lb. chicken breasts, cut into 1 inch pieces
buttermilk
1/2 cup Italian bread crumbs
1 T Parmesan cheese (or more)
2 t salt (or less, depending on amount of cheese)
1/2 t thyme
1/2 t basil
1/2 t paprika

Soak chicken in buttermilk.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
In a gallon sized ziploc bag, mix crumbs and seasonings.
Add chicken to bag and shake to evenly coat all pieces.
Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray and place chicken on sheet. (For a crispier nugget, place chicken on a cooling rack and place on top of the sheet.)
Lightly spray chicken with cooking spray.
Bake for 15-18 min.
Broil for 2 more min.

**Feel free to vary the spices: Old Bay, Creole are nice for some spice.

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