Romantic Chicken Dinner - help planning menu

[Dissie]

Denise posted this on facebook and I thought it looked wonderful.

http://www.inspiredtaste.net/18649/easy ... en-recipe/

Its a video to watch! Yum Yum! No mushrooms!

[HeatherFeather]

Denise posted this on facebook and I thought it looked wonderful.

http://www.inspiredtaste.net/18649/easy ... en-recipe/

Its a video to watch! Yum Yum! No mushrooms!

That does look really good, Dis. I saved both the chicken recipe and the chocolate dessert kc suggested. Still not sure I will go with either just yet, but they are two things I do want to make for sure, and I think with slight changes, he and I will enjoy them.

He mentioned a cake he saw online that he'd like me to try, so I will have to take a closer look and see if it makes sense to bake that for him.

[Kchurchill5]

Here you go, a few more ideas

Lemon Basil Chicken; served over orzo with fresh chives
Beans, or broccoli pan sauteed with bread crumbs or croutons http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/crunch ... ccoli-5891
I like simply roasted asparagus, but, depends if bf likes asparagus.
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Here is the chicken recipe:
4 chicken breasts, pounded thin
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon pepper
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1 tablespoon butter (to saute the chicken)
1 tablespoon olive oil (to saute the chicken)
2 lemons, thin sliced

Sauce:
1 shallot (small thin sliced)
1/2 cup white wine
1/3 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/3 cup heavy cream
3/4 teaspoon flour
1/2 cup lemon basil, fine chopped (you can use regular basil if you can not fine lemon basil)
1/2 teaspoon thyme, fine chopped
2 teaspoons fresh parsley, fine chopped
1 tablespoons butter

Dredge the chicken in flour, seasoned with salt and lemon pepper. Shake off most, then pan sear. Also, add the lemon slices to the pan as the chicken cooks. Remove the chicken and lemons to a plate as you make the sauce.

Add to the same pan, the butter, shallot, white wine to deglaze. Then, add the flour to make a roux. Add the broth, and simmer a couple of min. Add the cream, and simmer another couple of minutes. Add the fresh herbs and lemon juice.

Serve the chicken over orzo, and drizzle the sauce over the top.
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Here's another fun, easy, elegant type of dish.

I haven't posted this; but, I make this often. And, I basically follow this recipe. I add a little shallot to the sauce, but otherwise it is the same.
It is also quick and easy to prepare. However, it does have prosciutto, I haven't tried to use pancetta.
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/chicken-saltimbocca
Serve with any pasta or rice, tossed with some chives or scallions, and fresh lemon and zest.
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Duchess potatoes are fun too. NOT hard, can make ahead, then just bake for dinner. They are pretty elegant, and just something different.
http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/duches ... inish-8561, you can skip the truffle oil
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http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/french ... ables-8053
http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/lemon- ... easts-6556
these are fun too ... http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/bacon- ... atoes-1036

[HeatherFeather]

Yes, he loves asparagus. I think the only green veggies he doesn't eat would be green bell peppers and spicy peppers.

As long as I can get nice asparagus, I am pretty sure I will go with that plus baby potatoes, he loves them. The duchesse potatoes sound pretty tempting though.

I wonder what he'd think of the orzo - I don't know if he's ever had any or not before. The chicken recipe you shared and also the linked one both seem like good choices as well.

[Kchurchill5]

All meals I serve for simply elegant. NOT too fancy, but just a bit different. Dis's lemon chicken is good too.

I love a cranberry and fig stuffed chicken with cheese; but, thought that would be out of his comfort zone.

[Kchurchill5]

This is another very simple one Actually a friends recipe; but, I think they got it off my old blog. I just don't think I have posted it here or too recently. A delicious recipe.

I changed it up a bit. I used a pan vs the crock pot. I also added a couple of shallots to the pan, and browned the chicken in olive oil. Then poured the balsamic over the chicken, and cooked slow. I also added some chicken broth to the pan. Covered and cooked until tender.
I used a mix of thighs and breasts (boneless skinless). I served it over brown rice; with chives. I also added some orange zest to the chicken and some to the rice too. It was delicious and easy. You could easily do a variation of this.



Balsamic Chicken

4 boneless skinless breasts or 8 thighs
1/2 cup balsamic vinegar
1 cup chicken broth
1 medium onion or 2 shallots, thin sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 small orange, zested and juiced (1 teaspoon orange zest, 1 tablespoon juice)
1 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons dried minced onion
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil, to saute the chicken
2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Combine the dry spices, s/p in a small bowl and rub on the chicken, both sides. Saute the chicken in oil until lightly golden brown on one side. Flip, and cook another minute. Add the garlic, balsamic, orange juice, and broth. Cook 30-45 minutes on medium low until tender. Finish, garnish with orange zest and fresh parsley on top to serve.

Note: uncover the last 10 minutes to reduce the sauce a bit. I like the sauce; as it is so good over rice, pasta, or spuds.

[HeatherFeather]

That sounds really good as well, kc. Glad to have a selection of nice chicken meals. I think I might start making an elegant chicken breast meal each week (or maybe every other week, depending on cost). So I might end up making each of the chicken dishes at some point in the future.

I am off the hook, sort of, for dessert. My BF noticed a box of orange cake mix I still had lying around from before the move. He suggested I make that cake and ice it with some chocolate frosting. So we are getting chocolate & citrus in the same cake. Works for me as that is rather easy and inexpensive.

[Kchurchill5]

HF, sounds like a plan. I like making a UPSCSLE chick dish now and then. I did, when I was married and my son was at home. I always was making or creating a new dish every week. We tried all kinds of unique dishes with all kinds of ingredients.

It was sort of fun. I did candles, the good china and the works. It was just fun. Every few weeks we camped out out or in the family room. our sleeping bags, a picnic basket; and picnic food. Or we did a fondue pot of the floor.
It doesn't have to be expensive; but, food and eating should be fun.

[HeatherFeather]

That sounds like a lot of fun, kc.

I am about to throw my hands up in the air and tug out my hair. My BF doesn't recall ever mentioning that he'd like that orange cake topped with chocolate icing as his birthday cake. He just wants the cake like that at some point, but not for his birthday. So now I am back to figuring out a dessert plan again.

[Dissie]

These are pretty special cupcakes! They are just delicious, ever since my daughter made them for a potluck at work, she can't bring any other kind, because so many beg her to bring "THAT CUPCAKE". Really good!
http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/biscoff-cupcakes-8080