Flexible Chicken Success: A Versatile and Flavorful Chicken Dish
Description
Introducing a delightful variation on Chicken Alba, originally inspired by the renowned New York Times cookbook, this recipe is designed to be as flexible as your culinary creativity allows, making it perfect for both novice cooks and seasoned chefs alike. With a combination of succulent chicken cutlets, savory mushrooms, and gooey mozzarella cheese, this dish is a fantastic choice for a weeknight dinner or a gathering with friends. The adaptability in ingredients and cooking time means that anyone can achieve success in the kitchen with this dish.
Nutritional Information
| Nutritional Component | Amount per Serving (4 Servings) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 270.7 |
| Total Fat | 18.7 g |
| Saturated Fat | 11.2 g |
| Cholesterol | 60.1 mg |
| Sodium | 690.3 mg |
| Total Carbohydrates | 11.5 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 1.1 g |
| Sugars | 2.5 g |
| Protein | 15 g |
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Chicken cutlets | 4 – 8 pieces |
| Flour | 1/4 cup |
| Salt | To taste |
| Pepper | To taste |
| Mushrooms | 1/2 pound |
| Onion | 1 medium |
| Mozzarella cheese | 8 – 16 ounces |
| Butter | 2 – 4 tablespoons |
| Parsley | 1 tablespoon |
| Seasoning salt | To taste |
Cooking Time
| Time Component | Duration |
|---|---|
| Prep Time | 25 minutes |
| Cook Time | 20 minutes |
| Total Time | 45 minutes |
Instructions
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Prepare the Chicken: Begin by placing the chicken cutlets on a clean cutting board. If you prefer a more uniform thickness for even cooking, gently pound the chicken with a meat mallet or a heavy skillet. If you’re not a fan of this step, you can skip it without much impact on the final dish.
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Flour the Chicken: On a plate, spread out the flour, and lightly dredge each chicken cutlet in the flour, ensuring both sides are coated evenly. This will help create a delightful crust when cooked.
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Season the Chicken: Sprinkle salt and pepper generously over the floured chicken cutlets, adjusting the amount to suit your personal taste preferences.
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Brown the Chicken: In a large skillet over medium heat, add a tablespoon of butter or oil. Once hot, add the chicken cutlets to the pan, cooking them lightly until golden brown on both sides—there’s no need to cook them through at this stage, as they will finish cooking in the oven.
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Arrange in a Pan: Transfer the browned chicken cutlets to a large casserole dish or roasting pan, ensuring they are arranged in a single layer for even cooking.
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Sauté the Mushrooms: In the same skillet used for the chicken, add a little more butter or oil if needed, and sauté the mushrooms until they are lightly browned and tender, approximately 5 minutes. If you’re not a mushroom lover, feel free to skip this step.
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Layer the Dish: Place the sautéed mushrooms evenly over the chicken cutlets in the casserole dish.
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Sauté the Onion: If desired, add additional butter or oil to the skillet and sauté the diced onion until soft and translucent, which typically takes about 3-4 minutes. If onions aren’t to your liking, you can certainly leave them out of the dish.
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Add Onions: Sprinkle the sautéed onions over the mushrooms, creating a flavorful layer in the dish.
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Garnish: Add a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a dash of seasoning salt or your favorite no-salt seasoning to the layered chicken and vegetables, enhancing the flavors.
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Top with Cheese: Generously cover the entire mixture with mozzarella cheese, allowing it to melt beautifully while the chicken cooks.
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Bake: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the assembled dish in the preheated oven for approximately 20 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through, the cheese is melted, and delicious juices are bubbling around the edges. Adjust the cooking time if you’re using a different oven temperature, allowing for longer cooking at lower temperatures or less time at higher temperatures.
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Serve: The essential components of this dish are the chicken, mushrooms, and cheese, but feel free to get creative with sides! This dish pairs exceptionally well with rice for a hearty meal, while noodles could also be a delightful option for a different twist.
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Variations: For a more decadent version, consider using puff pastry to envelop the dish, which adds a beautiful presentation but may require a bit more effort. Additionally, experimenting with vegetables like bell peppers, zucchini, or tomatoes can introduce exciting flavors and textures, although the classic version remains a family favorite.
This Flexible Chicken Success recipe showcases how simple ingredients and straightforward techniques can result in a delicious, comforting meal that can adapt to whatever you have on hand. Enjoy the process and the delightful results!
