Simple Ways to Cook Chicken More Creatively
For many people, chicken is a mealtime staple. It’s tasty, affordable, and easy to cook, not to mention an excellent source of protein. If we’re honest, it can also be pretty boring. There are many creative ways to cook chicken, though!
If you love chicken, but you want to cook a little more creatively with it, here are some ideas you might like to try out next time chicken is on the menu.
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Sprinkle it with spices
One of the simplest ways to spice up your juicy instant pot chicken breast, for example, is to simply sprinkle it with herbs and spices. You probably already do this, but chances are you stick to the same old thyme and sage each time. If that’s the case, why not try paprika and oregano or a brown sugar chili rub instead? Although you might not like every combination, you’re sure to hit upon a winner or two that makes it all worthwhile.
Use it as a pizza crust
If you want to do something really different with chicken, why not use a mallet to beat it down until it is as thin as you can possibly get it, then use it as a pizza crust? It’s completely unexpected, and the combination of tender chicken, sweet marinara sauce, and tangy cheese is sure to be a winner.
Be sure to get creative with the toppings, too. Swap pepperoni for Nduja or pancetta for bacon, or go all out and try one of these weird pizza toppings instead. Have fun with it.
Make chicken under a brick
If you’re looking to make chicken day really special for the family, making chicken under a brick is a great way to go about it.
What is it? Basically, it’s a spatchcocked chicken that is weighed down by bricks (wrapped in foil) and roasted with a garlic, rosemary, and thyme rub. The bricks help to ensure that every piece of the chicken is evenly cooked and tenderized, which means it might just be the best piece of chicken you’ve ever tasted.
Use it in a dessert
Yes, really. Although most of us in the west think of chicken as being a savory ingredient only, this is not so everywhere. For example, in Turkey, they make a dish called tavuk göğüsü, which is basically a vanilla pudding with strands of the pulled chicken breast throughout. It may sound strange, but it walks the line between sweet and savory perfectly, and because chicken is so bland, it’s the ideal meat for such a dish.
Come up with something totally new
Of course, the best way to get creative with chicken is to come up with something totally new. For instance, instead of looking at recipes or falling back on factors you know work already, simply focus on putting together a dish completely from your own ideas. If it fails, it fails, but at least you will have added a little more creativity to your cooking.
Get creative in the kitchen, and even the most basic chicken breasts will seem exciting!
Linking to:
Wonderful Wednesday, Thursday Favorite Things, Senior Salon Pit Stop, A Pinch of Joy, Keeping it Real, Mostly Blogging, Lou Lou Girls
You had me at cooking under a brick! My husband will love this high tech piece of kitchen equipment! No but really, I hadn’t considered the weight in while cooking a spatchcock chicken – I think its brilliant! I’m going to give it a try! Thanks!
I’m so glad the post helped you, Michelle – thanks so much for your visit!
I’m going to follow your recipes @nextbestthingtomummy @_karendennis
Thanks so much for your visit, Karen!
The pizza crust made of chicken is surely a new one for me. Will have to try it
Thank you for popping over and for participating and sharing at SSPS 334. See you again next week at #335