Saturday, January 24, 2009

Cajun Chicken Breasts



In keeping with the resolution to maintain a smarter diet I pulled out my ever faithful Meal Lean I Yumm cookbook from Norene Gilletz . The title Meal Lean I Yumm is now out of print but has been replaced with the title Healthy Helpings. The one thing I have found over the years with all of Norene Gilletz's cookbooks is how really easy they are to work with. A dummy proof recipe is worth gold and I can honestly say I have never had a failure and I think I have nearly all her books.

Ingredients:

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
salt and freshly ground pepper (to taste)
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp paprika (I used hot paprika)
1/2 tsp. cayenne
1/2 tsp. dried basil
2 cloves garlic, crushed

Directions:

1. Rinse chicken and pat dry. Trim off excess fat. Combine oil, lemon juice, seasonings and garlic in a mixing bowl. Add chicken and marinate for an hour at room temperature, or up to 24 hours covered in the fridge.



2. Preheat oven to 400 F. Remove chicken from marinade and arrange in a single layer on a foil lined 10"x15"x1" baking sheet. Pour marinade over and around chicken. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, turning chicken pieces over at half time. Baste occasionally with pan juices. When done chicken will be springy when lightly touched. If overcooked, chicken will be tough.

Verdict: This is a very flavourful way to prepare chicken. It has a bite to it so if spice isn't your thing, cut back but don't eliminate the flavour.




Our friend Joelen from Joelen's Culinary Adventures has awarded us the Lemonade Award. I haven't seen this award before and was tickled to learn that the Lemonade Award is given to blogs that have a refreshing outlook, style, vibe, etc. These blogs offer recipes & cooking/baking techniques that are unique, interesting and of course, refreshing. Thank you Joelen for regarding us so highly!!

Do stop by Joelen's blog - there's always an interesting event going on and loads of good cookery to enjoy.

Here are the rules for this award...

- Add the logo in your blog.
- Add a link to the person who gave you the award.
- Nominate other (refreshing…like lemonade) blogs of your choice.
- Don’t forget to add links to those blogs in yours.
- Also leave a message for your nominees in their blogs, informing them about the award.

We'd like to pass on this award to:


Lori Lynn from Taste With the Eyes.
Cathy of Noble Pig
That Girl at Paved with Good Intentions
Nuria of Spanish Recipes
Katie from Good Things Catered

Each of these blogs has a refreshing uniqueness of its own. If you haven't visited one or all of them, you don't know what you're missing. StumbleUpon

25 comments:

Deeba PAB said...

Oooooh that does look moist & yummy Giz. I love a good chicken recipe, & this has all the flavours we love! YUM!! Congrats on the ward too!

Beth (jamandcream) said...

I love cajun spices. This looks really good - and healthy too!!!

Lori Lynn said...

Well aren't you nice. An award! I am honored that you think my blog is refreshing! Likewise!

Now I really like how you are serving your healthy chicken, with brown rice and a salad. Very satisfying!
LL

Dewi said...

Looks so scrumptious Giz, I don't mind to heva second helping for a meal like this.
Cheers,
Elra

test it comm said...

That chicken looks tasty! I have been wanting to try some cajun cuisine.

kat said...

This one is right up Matt's alley!

Anonymous said...

Love cajun spices! I've still got The Pleasure of Your Processor (that yellow plastic book) on my shelf--someone told me it's now a collector's item! I haven't seen this one, though.

glamah16 said...

This would be to my liking all grilled up. Love cajun spice.

That Girl said...

Is it awards season already? And me without a thing to wear!

Thanks!!!!!

Hopie said...

That looks delicious! I'm a big fan of spicy so I think I'll have to give it a try.

Anonymous said...

It sounds delicious! Very flavorful!

Thanks for the award! You are so, so good to me.

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

I'll have a healthy serving of this! Looks delicious.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your award :)

Anonymous said...

mmm...i've been looking for creative ways to do chicken since that's all we seem to have in my family! i'll try this one out!

Melissa said...

Congrats on the nod from Joelen. You always deserve the accolades.

Dummy-proof, eh? Sounds like my kind of recipes!

By the way, I saw your comment at Ruth's about The Secret. Nice. :D

Bunny said...

My hubby loved the Honey Sesame Chicken I made from your blog, I bet he'd love this too!

Ivy said...

I have bookmarked this. I love chicken and all the spices you've added. I need more recipes as I am also trying to eat healthier.

Ruth Daniels said...

The chicken looks delish. I too, have a long love affair with Norene. She's awesome and I love her latest book Norene's Healthy Kitchen.

grace said...

great spices. i wonder if there's any cajun blood in my ancestry--i feel awfully strongly about their food. :)

OhioMom said...

Spicy chicken without the skin .. this is a winner! I will definitely try this dish out .. thanks :)

What's Cookin Chicago said...

Looks like a fabulous recipe and your award is well deserved!!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

First of all congratulations on your award guys!!We all need to have a healthier 2009. This is an excellent start:D

Cynthia said...

Oh that plate is a feast!

Thanks for the award and my humble apologies for only now visiting to accept.

Peter M said...

A nice blend of herbs & spices can spruce up even the much maligned chicken breast!

Pam said...

This chicken looks so good and tasty. I love the seasonings you used.

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