SPICY, LEMONY CHICKEN BREASTS WITH CROUTONS AND GREENS

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Spicy, Lemony Chicken Breasts With Croutons and Greens image

A post-marinade is exactly what it sounds like: a flavorful mixture you sink meat or fish into after it cooks. Often used with grilled meats, the technique works great with seared proteins as well, especially boneless, skinless chicken breasts, which don't have a lot of flavor on their own. These breasts are cooked using a combination sear-steam method that builds flavor and keeps lean breasts juicy. Finish with a tangy-spicy combination of lemon, garlic and red-pepper flakes and you'll reap all the benefits of a traditional marinade without having to plan ahead. If you have thinner breasts or cutlets, this is a particularly wonderful use for them, since they don't have a lot of time to pick up color and flavor before they cook through.

Provided by Dawn Perry

Categories     dinner, weekday, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

4 slices crusty bread (about 3/4-inch thick)
6 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and black pepper
1 teaspoon fresh lemon zest plus 1/4 cup lemon juice (from 1 to 2 lemons)
1 garlic clove, grated or finely chopped
1 teaspoon dried oregano or thyme (or 1 tablespoon fresh)
1/2 to 1 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, to taste
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 1/2 to 2 pounds)
2 small heads Little Gem lettuce or 1 romaine heart, leaves separated and torn into bite-size pieces

Steps:

  • Heat oven to 375 degrees. Arrange the bread on a rimmed baking sheet; drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil and season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bake, turning once, until lightly golden and toasted, 10 to 15 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together 3 tablespoons oil with the lemon zest and juice, garlic, oregano, red-pepper flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt; set aside.
  • In a 10-inch skillet, heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil over medium-high. Season chicken with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and add to skillet. Cook, turning once, until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Add 1/4 cup water to skillet, cover, and continue to cook until chicken is cooked through, 5 to 7 minutes. Uncover, remove from heat and add lemon juice mixture; turn chicken to coat.
  • Tear each piece of bread in half and toss with lettuce; divide among plates. Top with chicken, and drizzle with the lemony pan juices.

Dion Gashi
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This was a delicious and easy-to-make dish. The chicken was cooked perfectly and the sauce was flavorful. I would definitely make this again.


Ricky FortuneGh
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I really enjoyed this recipe! The chicken was cooked perfectly, and the sauce was flavorful and tangy. I would definitely make this again.


SAMEH BEADAS
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This was a great recipe! I made it for my family, and they all loved it. The chicken was tender and juicy, and the sauce was delicious. I would definitely make this again.


Rehana Kusla
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This was a good recipe, but it took a bit longer to make than I expected. The chicken was cooked well, and the sauce was flavorful. I would recommend this recipe to someone who has a bit of time to cook.


Demi Dema
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This recipe was just okay. The chicken was cooked well, but the sauce was a bit too tangy for my taste. I would probably try a different recipe next time.


Nezer Junior
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I was disappointed with this recipe. The chicken was dry and overcooked, and the sauce was bland. I wouldn't recommend this recipe to anyone.


KD
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This dish was a bit too spicy for my taste, but my husband loved it. The chicken was cooked perfectly, and the sauce was very flavorful. I would recommend using less chili powder next time.


Bratanya Simmons
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I made this dish for a dinner party, and it was a huge success! The chicken was cooked perfectly, and the sauce was so flavorful. My guests raved about it, and I've already had several requests for the recipe.


Sujan Magrati
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This was a great weeknight meal. It was quick and easy to make, and the whole family loved it. The chicken was moist and flavorful, and the sauce was delicious. I'll definitely be making this again.


Kevin Hattingh
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I love this recipe! The chicken is always tender and juicy, and the lemon sauce is so flavorful. I've made this dish several times, and it's always a hit with my guests.


Ali Nafigh
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This dish was easy to make and turned out great! The chicken was juicy and flavorful, and the greens were perfectly wilted. I added a bit of extra lemon zest to the sauce, and it was perfect.


huma Saqib
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I'm not a huge fan of chicken breast, but this recipe changed my mind! The lemon and spices really livened up the chicken, and the croutons added a nice crunchy texture. I'll definitely be making this again.


Jalal Janii
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This chicken dish was a hit with my family! The flavors were bold and bright, and the chicken was cooked perfectly. I especially loved the crispy croutons and the tangy lemon sauce. Will definitely be making this again.