Spice up a family favourite with these quick and easy recipe ideas.
Chicken breast is a great ingredient to use any night of the week. But because both the chicken bone and skin has already been removed, it can often lack flavour when cooked. So we’ve put together a list of quick and easy recipe ideas to turn a simple chicken breast into a delicious, mouth-watering meal!
1. Marinate your chicken breast
Marinating is a great way to flavour and tenderise your chicken breast at the same time! When it comes to devising the perfect marinade, you’re really only limited by your imagination!
Greek marinade: For a classic Greek flavour combination, simply mix lemon juice, garlic, parsley, oregano with some olive oil then place your chicken breast in the marinade to infuse. It’s that easy! This marinade is perfect if you want to grill or pan-fry your chicken.
Moroccan spices: Add a touch of spice to your chicken breast by combining paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic and olive oil to create a paste. Then cover your chicken breast with the paste and pat down to secure. This Middle Eastern spice rub is delicious when charred on the grill.
Maple glaze: If you have a sweet tooth, then this is the marinade for you! Mix maple syrup, garlic, soy sauce and lime juice with chicken stock then cook it on a low heat and let it thicken until it becomes a beautiful, glossy glaze. Once reduced, rub the glaze over your chicken breast and let it infuse. Don’t forget to put some aside to pour over your chicken when cooking for even more flavour!
Remember, it’s best to marinate your chicken breast overnight to give the flavours time to infuse. A faster way to add flavour is to simply brine your chicken breast in salty water prior to cooking. This will help tenderise the meat and add extra flavour.
2. Crumbed chicken breast
Breading or crumbing generally involves dipping your chicken breast in flour, followed by an egg wash before coating it with crumbs. This coating helps protect the chicken from drying out during the cooking process so that you have a succulent, perfectly cooked breast every time.
Chicken Schnitzel: The dish that we all know and love when we think of crumbed chicken has got to be the classic Chicken Schnitzel. Pounded with a meat tenderiser to ensure that it’s an even thickness all over for a constant cook and fried in oil, Schnitzels have stood the test of time as a classic whether at home or the local pub!
Panko: If you want to get a little fancy with your breadcrumbs, give Panko a go. Panko breadcrumbs are used in many fried asian dishes and are made exclusively from white bread without the crusts. The bread is flaked before drying to increase aeration and ultimately crunchiness when used in cooking. The result when used on your chicken breasts is a crispier shell with a lot more crunch while the meat inside is still perfectly tender and protected.
Coconut flakes: This technique is the same as other crumbing methods but uses coconut extracts in place of flour and bread! First, coat the chicken breast in coconut flour, then dip it into a mixture of coconut milk & eggs before finally rolling it in shredded coconut. Fry these off in coconut oil and you’ll be whisked away to a tropical paradise, even if it’s only while you’re eating dinner!
3. Stuffed chicken breast
Stuffed chicken breasts not only adds flavour to the meat while it cooks but can be a wonderful surprise when served at a dinner party. Simply slice the thickest part of the chicken breast to ensure you have enough room for your stuffings then use kitchen twine to secure it all in place while roasting in the oven.
Medjool dates & fresh herbs: The sweetness of the dates and the fragrance from the fresh herbs makes this stuffing so delectable, your guests will be asking for seconds! First, cook a diced onion and set aside. Then roughly chop a handful of pitted Medjool dates, pistachio nuts, and fresh herbs such as parsley and sage. Mix together with breadcrumbs and the cooked onion and stuff into your chicken breast before baking.
Brie and prosciutto with fresh tarragon: This stuffing is as delicious as it sounds and only takes a few minutes to prepare. Simply wrap a small slice of prosciutto around a piece of brie then tuck inside the chicken breast along with some fresh tarragon. The prosciutto will helps keep contain the brie as it melts so that it oozes out once your chicken breast is fully baked.
Now that you’ve got flavour…
All you need to do is cook your chicken perfectly. This is where NEFF has your back. With our MultiPoint MeatProbe, you can expect moist chicken every time – it even turns your oven off when it’s cooked!
There are so many great ways to add flavour to chicken breast, so get cooking and feel free to share a photo of your dish with us on our Facebook page.
Happy cooking!
As a seasoned culinary expert with years of hands-on experience in the kitchen, I can confidently share my expertise on elevating the flavor of chicken breast through various cooking techniques. I've delved into the nuances of marinades, experimented with different breading methods, and mastered the art of stuffing to create mouth-watering dishes that never fail to impress. Here's a breakdown of the concepts covered in the article:
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Marinating Chicken Breast:
- Greek Marinade: Combine lemon juice, garlic, parsley, oregano, and olive oil for a classic Greek flavor. Ideal for grilling or pan-frying.
- Moroccan Spices: Create a paste with paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic, and olive oil. Perfect for a Middle Eastern spice rub on the grill.
- Maple Glaze: Mix maple syrup, garlic, soy sauce, lime juice, and chicken stock. Reduce to a glossy glaze and rub it over the chicken breast before cooking.
Pro Tip: Marinate overnight for optimal flavor infusion, or use a quicker brining method in salty water.
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Crumbed Chicken Breast:
- Chicken Schnitzel: A classic dish pounded for even thickness, coated with flour, egg wash, and breadcrumbs. Fried for a crispy exterior and tender inside.
- Panko: Try Japanese Panko breadcrumbs for extra crunchiness. Light and airy, they create a crisp shell while keeping the chicken tender.
- Coconut Flakes: Use coconut flour, dip in a mixture of coconut milk and eggs, then coat with shredded coconut for a tropical twist.
Pro Tip: Crumbing protects the chicken from drying out during cooking.
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Stuffed Chicken Breast:
- Medjool Dates & Fresh Herbs: Combine diced onion, Medjool dates, pistachio nuts, fresh herbs, and breadcrumbs for a sweet and fragrant stuffing.
- Brie and Prosciutto with Fresh Tarragon: Wrap prosciutto around brie, tuck it inside the chicken breast with fresh tarragon for a quick and delicious stuffing.
Pro Tip: Secure stuffed chicken breasts with kitchen twine and slice the thickest part for stuffing.
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Perfect Cooking with NEFF:
- The article recommends using NEFF's MultiPoint MeatProbe for perfect chicken every time. This technology ensures moist and perfectly cooked chicken breasts by automatically turning off the oven when the desired temperature is reached.
In conclusion, with these expert-approved techniques, you can transform a simple chicken breast into a culinary masterpiece. So, get into the kitchen, experiment with flavors, and share your delicious creations with others. Happy cooking!
