Four Ways To Cook Chicken Breast Easily

However much we like to cook, sometimes we don't have a lot of time in between going to work or socialising, so we scrabble about in the kitchen and end up just grabbing a sandwich. Here are four ideas that are quick and easy, and will fill you up.

Cooking chicken doesn't have to be time consuming, especially if you use only part of the bird. Whether it be chicken breast, legs or the whole chicken you can easily make loads of tasty recipes in a pretty simple way. Even for me. I say this mainly because I am not much of a patient cook, so these are great.

Ingredients

Chicken thin sliced breast

Red Onion

Lemongrass

Chopped Chilli

Grated root Ginger

Chinese leaf Cabbage

Fish Sauce

Lime

Coriander

Rice Noodles

Method

This is a quick, simple method that has very little fat, and adds lots of lovely flavor to the chicken. This time I am going Thai. But you can add whichever spice or flavoring that you prefer. Heat a small amount of cooking oil in a wok or large frying pan. Once the pan is hot, add some strips of sliced chicken breast, sliced red onion, finely chopped lemon grass, cut or chopped chilli and grated root ginger.

Then stir fry for five minutes until the chicken is cooked through. Just remember to thoroughly cook the thin strips of chicken. If in doubt cook them a bit longer, maybe five to ten minutes. Then add some sliced greens such as Chinese leaf cabbage or sugar snap peas, and then add a splash of water and cook for a few minutes more until the veg has softened.

Season with a dash of fish sauce and freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice. Then you can add the coriander. Serve with rice noodles and lime wedges to squeeze over. Obviously you can put as much of the ingredients in for your own taste.

Ingredients

Chicken

Natural Yoghurt

Crushed Garlic

Cumin and Coriander

Chilli Cayenne Or Turmeric

Method

Most of us diet at some stage, so this technique is good for all you health conscious eaters out there. You do not need to use butter or oil. However you need to protect the chicken from the dry heat of grilling. So for this recipe we are going to use yoghurt. Not only does it make the chicken taste great, but also tenderises the flesh and adds flavor.

Season some natural yoghurt with crushed garlic, and a spice that you prefer. Either cumin or coriander will do, but the choice is yours. Another good idea is to add chilli or caynne and add color with turmeric.

Spread onto the whole chicken breasts and leave to marinate for 20 minutes. Then take the chicken and place on the grill rack or pan. Then just cook for 6 - 8 minutes each side until nicely browned and cooked through. Always check that the centre of the chicken piece is cooked. You can then serve with lemon wedges, salad or vegetables. I prefer grilled tomatoes with a bit of basil sprinkled on when cooking. Yum!

Ingredients

Tin of Soup Or Packet.

Diced Onion

Diced Carrot

Diced Celery

Chicken Stock or Cube

Parsley

Method

This method is my favorite. It is so quick and easy. And more importantly, it gives the soup time to develop a rich chicken flavor that really enhances the dish.

Now you have a choice between using tinned vegetable soup, or dry packet soup, whichever you prefer. If you use the dry packet soup make sure you soak it for a few hours first, or ideally overnight to make sure the ingredients are reconstituted. Obviously most of you will prefer a tin of soup.

Spritz a large pan with olive oil and gently cook diced onion, carrot, celery and chicken breast for five minutes. Then adding the soup to the pan, cover the chicken and other ingredients with a chicken stock or cube mixed with boiling water. Bring to the boil and simmer gently for 35 -40 minutes until tender. Serve with chopped parsley.

One pot baking is a great way to keep all the nutrients and flavor packed into one dish. And the great advantage of it is that you can make a double helping by placing two in the oven at the same tiime, ready for guests or another meal later on.

Igredients

Skinless Chicken Breasts

Can of Cherry Tomatoes

Sliced Onions

Sliced Mushrooms

Crushed Garlic

Bay leaves, Rosemary or Thyme sprigs

Red Wine

Method

Place chicken in an oven proof dish. Then get a bowl and mix together the cherry tomatoes, sliced onions, mushrooms, garlic, your choice of either the bay leaves or Rosemary and Thyme, and a splash of red wine. Just remember the red wine is for the cooking, not drinking! Maybe one glass while making the dish won't hurt!

Pour the tomato mix over the chicken, making sure that the chicken is completely covered. If you would like an extra tangy taste to add to the flavor, sprinkle on grated cheese, preferably a few cubes of Mozzarella.

Bake in a pre heated oven at 200c or gas mark 6 for 20 to 30 minutes. All ovens vary so make sure that the chicken is cooked thoroughly. When its cooked the tomato mixture should have a thick rich texture. This can be eaten with bread just to soak up the lovely mixture, or as part of a main meal.

I can thoroughly recommend this recipe. I have been cheating for years by buying the sauce already made. If you do decide to cheat, make sure its the red wine sauce. Its delicious!