DIY: Perfect Fail-Proof Chicken

I need my chicken to be tender and delicious. This simple trick works every time without fail. Say goodbye to tough nasty chicken for ever more.

I use this method for cooking my chicken every time weather if is for chicken tacos, chicken Alfredo, or chicken for the main dish.

First marinate or season your chicken anyway you like. This time I marinated my chicken with a little garlic, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and rosemary. In the past I have rubbed taco seasoning on each side of the chicken breast. I have also use BBQ sauce. The skies the limit with how you can flavor your chicken really.

Next, heat up a skillet on med-high, with a little olive oil in it, and brown both sides of the chicken breast. I like the outside of the chicken to be nice and crisp.

Now that both sides of the chicken in nice and brown, pop them in an oven that has been preheated to 425 degrees for 20-25 min (depending on the thickness of your chicken).  

When they are finally done I take them out of the oven and let the rest for about 5 min.  This makes the chicken even juicier and more tender than if you were to cut into it right away.

Easy as that...

-Megan

Lemon Drums

My kids will grab these by the bone and have at it. Besides the finger licking yummy-ness, this is probably one of the easiest meals I make.

Lemon Drums

Ingredients:
1 TBL lemon zest
Juice from two small lemons
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp thyme (dried)
1/2 tsp rosemary (dried)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
2-3 lbs chicken drumsticks
4 TBL melted butter

Directions:

In a gallon size Ziploc, combine lemon zest, lemon juice, garlic, thyme, rosemary, salt, and pepper. Add drumsticks, shake in bag to coat, and marinade in the fridge for 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Pour seasoned chicken into a 9x13 baking dish and brush on melted butter.  Bake for 50 minutes.

-Stephanie

White Bean & Ham Soup

Have you had ham for dinner lately? Don't throw away that bone! Instead, make this incredibly delicious White Bean and Ham Soup. You will be left wondering how it can have so much flavor without adding any dried seasonings. It's sure to please the entire family.

White Bean & Ham Soup

Leftover ham and bone

Water

1 lb Dried Navy Beans

1/2 onion, chopped

1 rib of celery, chopped

1 carrot, shredded

Directions
Remove large bits of ham from bone. Cover bone with water in a pan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 hour.

Remove from heat and remove the bone from the water (stock). Let cool. Scrape away remaining ham from bone. Refrigerate stock and ham bits until ready to use.

Prepare 1 lb of white navy dried beans according to directions on the package.

Combine beans, stock, onion, celery, carrot, and ham drippings in crock pot. Add enough water to cover the veggies. Cook on low for 6-8 hours. 1 hour before soup is finished, add ham bits.

Enjoy a hearty bowl of soup for dinner tonight! Special thanks to my mother-in-law for providing this recipe.

Stephanie