31  | 

I found this helpful Thank You! Your vote will be tallied soon!

Chicken Lo Mein~ add fun with chopsticks

Chicken is so versatile, and it's something everyone in my family likes. In fact, the poultry folder in my computer recipe file contains over 300 different recipes.  A quick search for 'chicken recipes' on the internet yields nearly 5 million pages (Eat Chicken is a great site to peruse). Per capita consumption in the U.S. from 1960 to 2005 has gone up by 33% from 28 pounds to 84.7 pounds. That's a lot of chicken!

Not every recipe is family friendly or easy, though. I love the challenge of something new and different, but for basic weeknight meals, just like every other parent, I need quick and delicious. Under 30 minutes is optimum, especially if you work outside the home or have kids in various extracurricular activities. Many is the night I've found myself harried and racing around the kitchen to get a meal together and still have time to trek kids back and forth to different functions.

This is where chicken comes in very handy. It's healthier than some other choices, carb-free and low-fat, and the choices are nearly endless.  I'd be hard-pressed to come up with a food that doesn't go well with chicken. From marinated to rubbed, roasted to grilled, sautéed to fried, it's the easiest and quickest thing going. 

One of my favorite cuts is IQF (individually quick frozen) breasts.  Even though the're frozen, they're separate, making it easy to grab one or two at a time. They thaw quickly in the microwave (only do this if you will use them immediately following thawing) and are ready to go in just minutes.

No matter what cut of chicken you choose, you can't go wrong.  Try one of these recipes the next time you're in a bind to get dinner on the table quickly.

Easy Chicken Lo Mein

1 Tablespoon oil-sesame or peanut works well for this
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast-cut into thin slices
1 clove garlic-minced
2 Tablespoons soy sauce or teriyaki sauce
2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger or 1 teaspoon powder
1 (3 oz) package chicken flavor ramen noodle soup
1 (1 lb) bag frozen mixed oriental vegetables
¼ c water

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add chicken and cook, stirring frequently, until no longer pink. Add vegetables and lid. Cook until vegetables are cooked through, about 5 minutes. In the meantime, cook the noodles (without the flavoring packet) according to package directions.  Drain. Add soy sauce, garlic, ginger and seasoning packet to water. Mix well. Pour over chicken and vegetables, add noodles and toss to mix. Makes 4 servings and doubles just fine.

Grilled Chicken Pizza

1 (12 inch) pre-baked pizza crust
2 cups diced cooked chicken breast
2 Tablespoons dry Ranch dressing mix
½ cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup finely grated mozzarella cheese
¼ cup seeded and chopped red pepper
¼ cup seeded and chopped plum tomato
1/3 cup mayonnaise

Heat grill (gas or charcoal-either is fine) Toss chicken with one tablespoon Ranch seasoning and set aside. Mix mayo with the other tablespoon of seasoning and spread onto pizza crust. Top crust with chicken, peppers, tomatoes and sprinkle with the cheeses.

When grill is heated, place pizza on grill over medium heat. Cover grill and cook 6 to 8 minutes until heated through and cheese is melted. Serves 4.