Mediterranean Garlic Butter Chicken Bites with Asparagus
Why you’ll love it: Tender chicken, fresh asparagus, and a buttery garlic-lemon sauce infused with Mediterranean herbs. It’s quick, healthy-ish, and bursting with flavor—plus, you’ll feel like you’re dining on the coast of Greece.
Ingredients:
- 3 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 bunches of asparagus, cleaned and trimmed
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, divided (1/4 cup for chicken, 1/4 cup for sauce)
- 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic, divided
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano (or Herbes de Provence)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika (adds a warm Mediterranean kick)
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin (optional, adds earthy depth)
- 1 tbsp harissa or 1/2 tsp crushed chili flakes (for that bold Mediterranean heat)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (preferably homemade or low-sodium)
- Juice of 1 lemon, plus lemon zest
- 2 tbsp feta cheese, crumbled (optional but so Mediterranean!)
- 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Lemon slices and extra herbs for garnish
Instructions:
1. Prep the Chicken:
Season the chicken bites with salt, pepper, paprika, cumin, and oregano.
Heat 1/4 cup butter and 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
Add 1 tsp garlic, then toss in chicken. Sear until golden and cooked through (about 5–6 minutes). Remove from pan and set aside.
2. Cook the Asparagus:
In the same pan, add the remaining 1 tsp garlic and asparagus. Sauté until tender-crisp (about 4–5 minutes). Add a splash of broth if needed to steam.
3. Make the Sauce:
Push asparagus to one side, add remaining 1/4 cup butter. Let it melt, then stir in the remaining broth, lemon juice, lemon zest, and harissa or chili flakes. Simmer for 2 minutes.
» MORE: The Key to the Ideal Pastry Cream July 21, 2024 by Noty Cheese The Key to the Ideal Pastry Cream Table of Contents The Key to the Ideal Pastry Cream Ingredients 480 ml (2 cups) whole milk 1/2 cup (100 g) granulated sugar, divided 1 vanilla bean or 1 tsp vanilla extract 5 large egg yolks 30 g (1/4 cup) cornstarch 2 tbsp (30 g) unsalted butter, finely chopped Instructions Prepare the Milk Mixture: In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk with half of the granulated sugar (1/4 cup). Add the seeds from the vanilla bean or, if using vanilla extract, add it later. Set the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring occasionally to dissolve the sugar. Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, the remaining 1/4 cup of granulated sugar, and the cornstarch until the mixture is creamy and pale, about 2-3 minutes. Temper the Eggs: When the milk mixture is hot, gradually add about one-third of it to the egg mixture, whisking continuously to prevent curdling. Pour the tempered egg mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining hot milk. Cook the Pastry Cream: Return the saucepan to medium heat, whisking continuously until the mixture thickens and starts to bubble, about 2-3 minutes. Once it begins to boil, continue cooking for 1-2 minutes to ensure the cornstarch is fully cooked. Finish the Pastry Cream: Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately whisk in the butter and any vanilla extract if a vanilla bean wasn’t used. Strain the pastry cream through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl to remove any lumps or bits of cooked egg. Press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pastry cream to prevent a skin from forming. Allow the pastry cream to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 2 hours See also Clean Your Bowel: The Ultimate Detox Drink .Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh milk, eggs, and butter significantly enhance the flavor and texture of your pastry cream. Whisk Continuously: To ensure a smooth texture, whisk continuously while cooking to prevent lumps. Strain the Cream: Straining the pastry cream guarantees a silky smooth texture, free from any cooked egg bits. Proper Cooling: Applying plastic wrap directly to the surface of the pastry cream prevents a skin from forming, which can affect the texture. CategoriesEasy Recipes Enjoy a Zesty Pineapple Lemonade – Refreshing and Sugar-Free! Garlic Butter Steak and Potatoes Skillet Search for: Search … Popular install apk on chromebook Step-by-Step Tutorial: How to Install APK on Chromebook! February 6, 2024 Proofreading 10 Best Online Proofreading Jobs for Beginners That Pay $25 Per Hour January 30, 2024
4. Combine:
Return chicken to the skillet, toss everything in the buttery sauce, sprinkle with crumbled feta and fresh parsley.
5. Serve:
Plate hot with lemon slices. Serve over couscous, quinoa, or warm pita if you want to go full Mediterranean!
