chicken — A Southern Fairytale

Tequila Citrus Chicken Thighs

12:02 AM ByRachelFiled UnderMouthwatering Monday, Poultry

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Chicken Thighs marinated in Tequila, Lime and Orange Juice

There’s so much to love about this simple, tossed together recipe. I love every bit of it. Heat, sweet, zing, zest, bite… just yes.

Tangy citrus, zingy tequila, subtle heat from the jalapeno… marinate for a day and then grill… oh yes.

OH YES.

This is one of those recipes that just works. There’s acid and heat and subtle and sweet and it all works with the ridiculously juicy thighs to make an amazing grilled dish (this also does amazing things to shrimp.. just sayin’)

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Recipe: Tequila Citrus Chicken Thighs

: Tequila Citrus Chicken Thighs

6 chicken thighs
1/2 C orange juice
1/2 C lime juice (the juice of 4 limes, save the “bodies”)
1/2 C tequila
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp fresh ground pepper
1 jalapeno, fresh, chopped (if you’re sensitive to heat..remove the seeds)

Chop 1 jalapeno (seed it if necessary)
zest 1 lime
juice 4 limes and save bodies
mix together jalapeno, lime juice, lime bodies, lime zest, tequila, dash of salt, pepper and orange juice
place chicken thighs in a bag and pour the marinade over it.
marinate overnight. Turn every 4 – 6 hours to ensure that thighs are fully coated
grill over medium-high heat until fully cooked or sautee in a skillet with a bit of butter

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Taggedchicken, chicken thighs, limes, tequila 38 Comments

Lemon Rosemary Chicken

12:36 AM ByRachelFiled Under17 day diet, Mouthwatering Monday, Poultry

One of my favorite things about blogging is the connection to others.

Whether it’s through the sharing of our lives, laughter, family stories or our shared love of food… it’s just that, the sharing that makes this blogging thing so amazing.

Y’all know me, I am all about the food, I love spicy foods, sweet foods, crazy foods but most of all, I love real food. My friend Jessi sent me this recipe and just reading it had my tastebuds tingling and my fingers itching to get cooking. So much so, that I made it the very same night that she sent it to me.

I have a rosemary bush right outside my front door, and on those rare days that it rains in South Texas, the scent of rosemary floats around my front door and mists down the driveway to greet anyone who ventures towards my door.

There’s just something that I love about the combination of Lemon and Rosemary. They are simply irresistible – they are both fresh, invigorating and zingy.

Fresh rosemary, freshly juiced lemons, smashed garlic, olive oil, paprika and the surprising addition of cinnamon combine to bring this chicken recipe a deliciously savory, zingy and fresh flavor.

Lemon Rosemary Chicken

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Yield: 4 chicken breasts

Lemon Rosemary Chicken

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3 lemons, halved and juiced, (both rinds and juice will be used)
1/2 C olive oil
1 tsp sea or kosher salt
1/2 to 1 tsp cayenne pepper (I used 1 tsp)
1/2 tsp roasted cinnamon
8 cloves of garlic, smashed with flat side of knife
6 whole sprigs of fresh rosemary

Instructions

Place the chicken into a large Ziploc baggie.
Prep the lemons and garlic
In a large bowl mix: lemon juice, olive oil, salt and spices. Pour into the bag over chicken.
Add lemon halves, garlic and rosemary. Remove all air from the bag and seal.
Smoosh all the ingredients around inside the bag to ensure that the chicken is well coated and the ingredients are well incorporated throughout the bag.
Marinate (turning occasionally) for 1 hour to overnight.
Heat up your grill and cook evenly on both sides, about 7 minutes per side, or until the juices run clear - or the internal temp reaches 165° F

Rachel Says

This is simply amazing served with freshly steamed broccoli topped with freshly squeezed lemon juice

http://asouthernfairytale.com/2009/08/10/lemon-rosemary-chicken/

Taggedchicken, lemon, rosemary 35 Comments

Penne Al Fresco With Grilled Chicken

11:09 PM ByRachelFiled UnderMouthwatering Monday, Poultry

There’s a certain beauty in simple ingredients. Sharp bursting tomatoes, peppery, licorice flavored basil, fragrant savory garlic, pasta and the tang of dry white wine. When you can blend these ingredients into a fresh, simple, delicious pasta dish that’s easy to make and prepared in under 30 minutes… it’s even better.

Pampered Chef sent me their Covered Baking Dish to try. I was skeptical, y’all know me. Something you make in the microwave, and I’m going to like it? Probably not.

Then, there was the garlic slicer.. I love, love, LOVE the garlic slicer, it might be my new favorite kitchen tool. Y’all know me, I rarely cook without garlic .. the only downside, they didn’t send the garlic peeler, too. ;-( (There’s always a catch, right?)

I live in the South, I’ve spent my adult life hearing about Pampered Chef… it’s as Southern as Apple Pie, BBQ, Paula Deen and Southern Fried Chicken.

Nathan and I pored over the included recipes and decided upon the Chicken and Penne Pasta.

It was better, easier and more flavorful than I thought it would be. Nathan ate two helpings.

They have entire recipes centered around this baking dish and I have to admit looking at them, I wasn’t all that impressed but now, after eating this one… I’m intrigued and looking forward to trying more.

pampered pasta1

4 garlic cloves (I used 7.. y’all know me)
2 C grape, cherry tomatoes
3 C uncooked penne pasta (barilla pasta plus)
3 C chicken broth
3/4 C dry white whine ( Barefoot Chardonnay)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp ground black pepper (1 tsp)
1 1/4 C lightly packed fresh basil leaves, divided
1 oz fresh Parmesan cheese, grated (1/4 C packed)
2 C diced grilled chicken (about 3 breasts)

(italicized parentheses are mine)

pampered pasta 3

Spray Deep Covered Baker with olive oil spray. Slice garlic, I used my Garlic Slicer (woot!!! this may be my new favorite kitchen toy) Add tomatoes. Cover and microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir. Microwave another 3 minutes.
Crush tomatoes and garlic. Add pasta, wine, broth and spices. Microwave for 18 minutes, Stir at 10 minutes.
Coarsely chop basil and grate cheese, chop chicken.
Carefully remove the dish from the microwave, remove the lid (beware of steam), stir in basil, chicken and cheese. Mix well.
Top with additional cheese and garlic and pepper (if you like)

If you’re joining in the MWM linky, thank you. I love that you’re here every week, I thank you for joining if it’s your first Monday. This is a joyous place for people to share their favorite recipes, their love of food and their general desire to revel in the nom nom of good food. Please grab your tonguegasmic button, say HI, sign the MkcLinky with your Recipe URL and then visit the other MWM participants!

So here’s the deal. I am actually so impressed with the Covered Baking Dish that Pampered Chef is offering one to one of my readers, that means one of y’all! This is a huge deal y’all.. this thing is oven safe, microwave safe, freezer/fridge safe and it is fantastic quality stoneware. You want this. Trust me.

So, tell me do you use Pampered Chef products? IF you do, which Pampered Chef product has made your life easier? If you don’t , why do you love cooking and which Pampered Chef product would inspire you in your kitchen?

For a 2nd entry: Tweet this and leave the Tweet URL in an additional comment

For a 3rd entry: If you had any amount to spend at PamperedChef.com what would you buy, and why?

In case you need me to be more transparent.. YES, I received the product gratis. NO, they were not able to purchase my review and opinion. If I hadn’t like this.. you would have known. I’m as transparent as saran wrap and as honest as the day is long.. Y’all know that. I’m just blessed to be able to have this opportunity and to share this product with y’all.

You have until Wednesday, August 5th at 11:59PM CST to enter. I’ll then use random.org to pick a winner

Congratulations to our Winner: Alisha in Ohio

Submitted on 2009/08/03 at 1:16pm

If I could buy more stuff I would buy

More stoneware! (esp. the Bar Pan!)
The garlic press
and that lovely baker dish you have