When I know I don't have a lot of time to cook, or I'm just tired at the end of the day, I reach for the skillet and a package of boneless, skinless chicken. I can cut it up and cook it in a flash, and dress it up with almost any flavors and other ingredients I have in the pantry or fridge. It can be Mexican one night, and Thai the next with not much thought or work. Let your imagination go wild! Here are a few ideas to get you started.
1. Creamy Apple Bacon Chicken
Why do apple and bacon seem to go so well together? I think its the sweet and salty combination that works nicely with chicken.2. Creamy Southwest Chicken
This skillet chicken dish is one you can have on the table in 20 minutes, start to finish, using canned green chiles and shredded cheese.Chicken Cooking Tip: Using the best available chicken you can afford really makes a difference. Taste tests usually favor kosher chickens, chickens that have access to pasture, and natural chickens, but there is a lot of variation between farms. Sample and decide.
3. Skillet Chicken Divan
You can make this low-carb version of chicken divan on the stovetop and run it under the broiler if you want. Or forget the broiler and just serve and eat. It is classic comfort food, and a great way to use up leftover chicken or turkey (or buy a roasted chicken at the deli).Tip: "Chicken Tenders" are a flap of breast meat underneath the main piece of meat. Sometimes these are sold separately, and are even faster to cut up, since it is already partly done for you.
4. Moo Shu Chicken
Often, Moo Shu pork or chicken in a restaurant has quite a bit of sugar in it, but this homemade recipe is not difficult, and it's low-carb and sugar-free.5. Easy Thai Coconut Curry Chicken
This is a very simple skillet meal. It's one I do when I have little energy. You can use any Thai seasoning mixture or curry paste you like.Tip: When thawing boneless skinless chicken that you intend to cut up, don't let it thaw all the way. It will be easier to cut if it's still a little firm.
