Zesty Chicken Sauté

Saturn's Note:

In a recent Cookbook Swap, I received some STELLAR cookbooks from Chef #22015. This recipe is from one of them. "Cheap. Fast. Good!" by Beverly Mills and Alicia Ross. What a wonderful book! This recipe is now one of my favourites. The chicken is perfectly spiced, in my opinion. I love the ease of preparation! You may need to increase the spice mixture though (if you like it thick like I do!). I made up a batch of the spices and when it was gone, I simply made up another half recipe of it. Worked out perfectly with no waste!

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 5 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• ½ teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon salt (optional)
• ¼ teaspoon ground allspice (optional)
• 4 (6 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breast halves (defrosted if frozen)
• vegetable oil , for frying (about 1 tbsp)

Directions:

1. Place the chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, cumin, salt (if using) and allspice (if using) in a gallon-size zipper-top bag and seal the bag. Shake the bag to combine the spices thoroughly. (NOTE: I usually omit the onion powder and put in about a 1/2 tsp lemon pepper. I like that the best!).
2. Place the chicken breast halves, one at a time, between two sheets of waxed paper or plastic wrap and pound them with several whacks of a meat mallet or rolling pin so that they are an even 1/2 inch thick. Peel off the paper. (Each serving should be about 6 ounces, so if the breast halves are large, cut them in half lengthwise.).
3. Place the chicken pieces in the bag with the spices, seal it, and shake until the chicken is coated with the spice mixture. Set the bag aside.
4. Heat the oil in an extra-deep 12 inch skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned on the first side, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the chicken and cook until no longer pink in the center, another 4 to 5 minutes.
5. Transfer the chicken to a platter and serve.
6. A salad would be great alongside. My family's favourite is Deep Browned Potatoes (Deep Browned Potatoes) and corn.

Reviews

[TattooedMamaof2]

This is a great combination! I combined all the spices (minus the salt), rubbed it on the chicken, and grilled it on the George Foreman. Very good! Thank you!

[Catnip46]

I followed the recipe using all ingredients. And then I got this stupid idea of using a lot more oil. Well the chicken didn't get crispy although all the spices pretty well stayed on the chicken they were greasy and soggy. Because of the way I fried it it did not taste that great so I can not rate this recipe my fault, I know. Not sure if I'll try to make it again. So sorry Saturn but I just want people to know when it says fry in a little oil, do it, there's a reason.

[ladyfingers]

Here's an instance when I wish I had followed the original recipe rather than reviewers' suggestions. I doubled the spices as so many cooks recommended--and wish I hadn't. We thought the spices overwhelmed the chicken. It's a great combination, but next time I will stick to Saturn's original spice amounts. The allspice was a pleasant surprise and gave wonderful flavor.