Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Our Favorite Chicken Dinners

By Jana Banks

Are you getting the urge to eat healthier? It happens to many of us at this time of year having packed on extra pounds over the holidays and a long winter spent indoors. So we usually attempt to eat a healthier diet, but many of the programs and suggestions can seem pretty bland. Traditionally we're told to eat more fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, fish and lean meats. One of the popular lean meats often recommended is chicken, and there's a good reason for that.

Chicken is very versatile meat that can be combined with so many dishes and cooked in so many ways that it rarely gets boring. Chicken can be sauted, baked, stir-fried, broiled, barbecued - the possibilities are endless. The wonderful thing about chicken is that it absorbs any of the many flavors and spices you choose to produce great tasting dishes.

Chicken is also popular because it is a quick cooker, making it a favorite for the rushed weekday meals as well as weekend gatherings. You can easily make a tasty chicken cutlet dinner and serve it on the table in less than 25 minutes. Simply bake some honey mustard or breaded cutlets for 20 minutes or so, serve with a side of mashed potatoes (boxed spuds are just fine) and fresh, green sugar snap peas for a delicious dinner. Save time later in the week by making extra portions now for a great second serving.

Now if you're like many people and you own an electric indoor grill, they you can easily cook up your favorite barbecued chicken anytime. For fun, make some easy, zesty chicken kebobs. You just cut up your chicken into smaller pieces and place them on a skewer with some of your favorite veggie and fruit pieces. Add a few of your family's favorite side dishes like wild rice and fresh lemon asparagus and you've got a quick, no-fuss, delightful dish sure to please your family or your guests.

Another favorite cooking style is the stir-fry method. Many people use a wok for stir-frying but any good-size skillet works quite well for this method. Stir-fry is a great low-fat cook style that can be sweetened or spiced to your own personal tastes. Cut up your chicken with some crisp vegetables, cook, and serve over a bed of brown or wild rice.

So if you're ready to enjoy some great chicken dishes or you're looking for new ways to liven up your same old chicken, be sure to browse the Internet for some excellent free recipes. You'll even find great feedback and ideas from people who've tried the recipes and found ways to enhance them, along with great suggestions for side dishes too. And let's not forget about all of the excellent cookbooks available - it might be time for a trip to your favorite bookstore for a beautiful new cookbook or two for your kitchen. - 20897

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