The culture of food is an extraordinary experience. One cannot help but marvel at the mouth watering result of a well thought of meal. The satisfaction derived from savouring a meticulously prepared dish is something that cannot be fully grasped until experienced firsthand.
In the ever-evolving world of culinary joys, there is one ingredient that has never failed its mark in enriching a meal with flavour – chicken.
Versatile, succulent, and beloved by chefs and foodies alike, chicken has a knack for transforming even the simplest of recipes into something extraordinary.
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Whether you are a seasoned cook looking to impress or a hopeless romantic hoping to sweep someone off their feet this coming Valentine, these five chicken recipes are sure to make you the most interesting person in the room.
Honey garlic chicken thighs:
First up, we have the irresistible honey garlic chicken thighs.
The secret to this mouth-watering dish lies in the marinating process. But first wash the chicken with vinegar, salt and water. Them remove any extra fat.
In a bowl, have a blend of salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and oregano mixed with some vegetable or olive oil to create a tempting paste. This paste is where we begin to build the foundation of this succulent chicken. Marry this thoroughly with the chicken.
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As the chicken absorbs the flavours, next would be to sear it to perfection. In a skillet with a light coating of oil, cook each side for approximately three to four minutes over medium heat. Continue this process until both sides are beautifully seared to a golden brown perfection. Then air fry the chicken for another 15 minutes.
Once crispy, remove and set aside. Get your pan with the chicken flavoured oil to begin the sauce. In the heating pan, add a delectable mixture of honey, soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger, garlic paste, vinegar, and chicken broth. Let it simmer and thicken before adding the chicken to it.
Once the chicken is in with the sauce, make sure to surround the crispy chicken with its slurry texture. Pour it over the chicken repeatedly so both are one with each other.
With its crispy exterior and juicy interior, biting into this chicken will arrest everything about your attention.
Propose to me Chicken:
If you want that special someone to pop the question, look no further than our aptly named “Propose to me Chicken.”
This recipe is all about creamy indulgence. After seasoning your chicken with salt and black pepper, sear it till both sides are a golden brown before adding minced garlic to the pan.
By this time, the chicken is off the pan already, and so you will be using the chicken flavoured oil to make your delicious base.
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Once the minced garlic is added to the flavoured oil, add heavy cream to the mix. If you cannot find heavy cream, you could also use full cream like hollandia evaporated milk or peak full cream.
As the cream melds with the garlic-infused oil, it becomes a velvety sauce that clings to the chicken once again added. With the addition of chilli pepper, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil, and parmesan cheese, this dish will get that special someone looking at you differently.
Marry me Chicken:
For those seeking a more spicy and flavourful experience, this version of “Propose to me Chicken” takes a unique twist.
Coat your chicken breast in a spicy mixture of flour, salt, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Then in a pan, add a bit of avocado oil and unsalted butter to commence with frying the chicken to golden brown on each side.
Once the chicken is properly seared on both sides, set it aside and reduce the heat of the pan from medium to medium low. Then add your garlic paste/minced garlic and another cut of butter to begin the sauce process. Stir to marry the ingredients into a uniform consistency, which is slightly thick.
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Now it is time to saute your vegetable in that delicious base sauce. The preferred vegetable is Kale, but you can substitute Kale for cabbage, collard greens or spinach.
This adds a touch of vibrant green to the dish, enriching its all round character. Then add sun dried tomatoes to sweeten, more chilli peppers, Italian seasoning to further enhance the depth of flavours.
Then deglaze the pan with chicken broth/stock and heavy cream. This transforms this dish into a veritable taste sensation that is bound to leave anyone weak at the knees.
You can enjoy this sensation with pasta or rice. Or whatever you prefer.
Tomato sauced Chicken:
For those who prefer a simpler yet equally satisfying option, our chicken and tomato recipe is a winner every time.
In a bowl, have your chicken thoroughly mixed in a blend of salt, pepper, oregano, paprika, garlic, onions, and olive oil. This turns the chicken into a flavour powerhouse.
You could let the chicken and the ingredients stay in love for 30 minutes or an hour before cooking it. Or you begin as soon as they are mixed.
Once in the cooking pan, do not add water just yet, let it simmer and cook in its own natural juice for about 10 minutes. As it cooks on medium heat, the juices mingle to create a delicious assault of aromas. It will take the will of God not to get at the chicken immediately.
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Next, add either fresh tomatoes, canned tomatoes or tomato paste. This natural water from the tomatoes will merge nicely with that of the chicken’s; infusing it with a burst of tangy and sweet notes. If it is too thick, add water to your taste, but not too much. The joy of the dish is in its thickness.
After a brief mingling period, the dish is garnished with parsley and parmesan cheese, resulting in a soul-satisfying culinary masterpiece. Ensure to taste for your preferred of seasoning before serving.
This chicken recipe can be enjoyed with rice or pasta.
Garlic chicken recipe:
Last but not least, we have the classic garlic chicken recipe. The star of this dish lies in the seasoning of course – a delightful mixture of salt, black or white pepper, lemon pepper, garlic powder, and paprika which you will introduce to the chicken until each piece is well coated.
As the seasoning permeates the chicken, get a hot skillet ready to fry it to perfection, till crispy. Once fried, remove the pan from the heat and further add unsalted butter to the chicken filled pan; garlic, onions, rosemary, thyme, and sliced lime, which will be placed on top of each chicken resting in the pan, this will add depth and fragrance to the dish.
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Take that combo to the oven for a period of 30-35 minutes at a temperature of 400 fahrenheit. This will change the game for this chicken, becoming tender and utterly delicious.
And let us not forget about the sauce that pools at the bottom of the pan – perfect for drizzling over rice, pasta or mashed potatoes
With these five tantalising recipes, your love will undoubtedly be interpreted to that special someone who had stolen the show in your heart. For food is indeed a love language.
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