Chicken with Onions, Bay and Thyme
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Cooking time: 40 minutes for menu Cooking schedule: see below for "menu" instructions |
Chicken breasts, braised with onions and herbs served with oven-roasted potatoes and broccoli makes a simple yet flavorful week night dinner. Very little work; very little clean-up; lots and lots of taste. 20 minutes of easy prep and 20 of waiting.
Chicken with Onions, Bay and Thyme Time: 35 minutes
We think of bay leaves as something that is used in tomato based dishes, but they have a wonderful flavor that marries well with thyme, and shines through in this simple dish.
2 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless
1 large or 2 small onions
2 cloves garlic
1 tbs olive oil
1 tsp thyme
2 bay leaves (laurel)
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup white wine
1 tbs tomato paste
1 tbs cornstarch (maizena, corn flour) dissolved in 2 tbs chicken stock
Slice the onion and finely chop the garlic. Sauté onion and garlic in oil in nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When onion starts to brown, move it to the sides of the pan and sauté chicken breasts until lightly browned. Stir in thyme, bay leaf, wine, stock and tomato paste. Cover, reduce heat and simmer until chicken is done, about 15 minutes. Dissolve cornstarch in chicken stock. Uncover, increase heat and remove bay leaf. Remove chicken to small platter. Add cornstarch to onions and stir until sauce is thickened. Spoon onions around chicken and serve.
Roasted Potatoes and Broccoli Time: 40 minutes
Most vegetables take very well to roasting. The slight browning brings out the natural sugars and highlights the flavors, making ordinary vegetables into something special. And, as long as we're roasting, toss in a few potatoes as well. Dinner is done!
2 medium potatoes or 4 small (or however many you think you would like)
1/2 - 3/4 head broccoli enough for 2 we'll use whatever is left on Wednesday
2 tbs olive oil
2 tsp white Balsamic vinegar
1 tsp dried rosemary
1 tsp
dried thyme
Slice potatoes in half the long way, then in half again. Then slice in half or thirds the short way. Cut broccoli into florets with long stems. Put remaining ingredients into large bowl and mix well. Add potatoes, broccoli and toss, coating thoroughly. Arrange on a baking sheet with a rim (I use my trusty, round pizza pan) and bake at 400F (200C) for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and serve. Salt and pepper, optional.
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Cooking Schedule: 40 minutes |
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Cooking for Two? Or more?
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