Chicken is one those proteins that everyone loves. One of the great things about chicken is that it is so versatile. Homemade, healthy, family meals are easy to create if you have this hearty staple on hand. Children eat chicken. Adults love it. Chicken is endlessly adaptable. It spans many backgrounds and cultures and fits in nicely with almost anything you have in mind. If you are thinking about something to make for fall, chicken is a great base. Many of these dinner options can be made in advance and kept in the fridge until you’re ready to bring a nice hot meal on the table.
Casseroles are a good thing to keep around. This all American option can be made in large batches and even frozen. Americans appreciate the fact that the casserole has a lot of variations. People can easily customize it to their individual tastes. Casseroles are an excellent way to make use of what you have in the home right now. They’re thrifty and easy to put together in advance. Chicken fits into this type of dish without missing a beat. The chicken casserole is one of those dishes that combines a hearty sauce with a satisfying meat.
Chicken and Rice
The chicken and rice casserole shown here is one of those ways that people can take a few ordinary ingredients and turn them into something very special. This dish begins with wild rice or wild rice combined with standard white rice. That serves as the base from which to develop the rest of the dish to perfection. Four cups of cooked chicken are used to add heft and body. Almonds bring in the crunch along with delicious and easy to find water chestnuts. Frozen peas, cream of celery soup, cream of chicken soup, mayonnaise and lemon juice round out the recipe. The entire meal is topped with potato chips for added fun. This is a good dish to serve to kids when you want to get them to eat something that will help them develop their personal sense of flavor.
A French Take
France is one place that has long taken chicken very seriously. The French take great pride in the chickens they grow. The French also love wine. Wine is not only to drink. It’s also the base for a yummy sauce that takes chicken to the next level. For centuries, the French have been combining chicken and whine in a single dish. This is to the benefit of both. It’s easy to develop a rich sauce that makes chicken stand out and allows the mellow flavors of varied types of wine to stand out at the same time. Cooks all over the world can take inspiration from the way the French use these two commonly available ingredients. Even people who don’t live in France can look to the French when it comes to crafting a dinner that offers that touch of excitement that really makes the end of the day memorable.
White Wine Coq Au Vin
The traditional coq au vin is chicken stewed in red wine and left to simmer for hours on the stove. Red wine makes a nice base but it is not the only option when it comes to creating this much beloved dish. White wine is just as good. This dish offers the same flavors in a new way. It all begins with a cup up chicken. Cremini mushrooms go into the pot along with leeks, onions, mustard and pancetta. Flour is added for body along with lots of different types of herbs. The net result is a dish that is warm, inviting and just right for your dinner time plans.
One of the fabulous things about chicken is that people can do so much with it. People in the United States and other parts of the world love to add a crispy coating to the outside of the dish. Chicken with a luscious coating is something kids like to eat. At the same time, fried chicken is not the healthiest of options. It can also be greasy and a bit too heavy. Fortunately for the home cook, there are other ways to make a version of this dish without laying on the calories.
Oven Fried Chicken
The oven is a cook’s best friend. Ovens are one of the best ways to bring in the heat without the need to add too many calories at the same time. This recipe shows exactly how to make best use of the oven when it comes to making chicken with a crispy, delicious coating on top. Oven fried chicken is the answer for those who want to make this dish at home. Whole grain crackers along with corn flakes make it easy to get the texture you want. Yogurt and dijon mustard bring in a layer of contrast and add more flavor to the dish. This is one that can serve as a treat on a rainy grey fall day. It also works well with a crowd of people when the host wants to offer them something very hearty.
Interesting Burgers
Burgers are another option for a family meal this time of the year. Busy parents on the go can opt for burgers that everyone in the family can eat when they want. A burger is portable item that the football player can grab before practice. While beef is the standard burger, it’s easy to explore lots of other options. Chicken makes a really good choice for people who want something just a little bit different. It’s one way to charm a small group or bring on an option when you’re holding a fall tailgating party.
Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Caesar-ish Dressing
Grilling is one of the best ways to prepare chicken. Grilling seals in juices and lets the bird take center stage. A grilled chicken sandwich is a fabulous main course that everyone will love eating. This one takes grilled chicken as the base from which to build a burger that sings with lovely flavors. There’s a sauce that combines lots of nice things including Worcestershire, garlic, lemon juice, black pepper and mayonnaise. That adds a touch of Caesar sauce to the chicken. Then it’s topped with tomatoes, fennel and lettuce. This is one option when you’re looking for something with a touch of sophistication and elegance.
Cooking For a Group
Cooking for a large group can be tricky. This is often necessary during autumn. Kids want to invite their friends over to study. Adults love gathering around the fire pit for wine and cheese tasting. Chicken is a good thing to serve for a large number of people. The mild flavor allows everyone to appreciate this classic protein at the same time. If you’re going to make dinner for a large group of people, you want to think about cooking large quantities of chicken at the same time. At the same time, people who are busy doing so much may not have the time to put up a large quantity of food. This is where sheet pan can come in deeply handy.
Sheet-Pan Chicken with Zucchini and Garlicky Tomato Relish
This chicken dish with zucchini, garlic and tomatoes makes full use of vegetables that are in season this autumn. A sheet pan allows many pieces of chicken to be cooked at the same time. If you’re serving a really large group, consider putting in more than one tray. The baked chicken is very healthy. This is one dish that works well for anyone who likes chicken that has the kind of bite to it that can make it such a satisfying thing to eat in your kitchen. It’s topped with a delightful relish that makes full use of herbs like tarragon and in season. ripe cherry tomatoes.
Slow Food
When temperatures start to drop, this is the time to ease into heartier dishes that offer something comforting. Slow cooking is a great way to bring it all to your dinner table. This is also a time to turn to familiar flavors. For those who are looking for a meal that does all this and more, the Slow Cooker Chicken Piccata is a good start. This recipe can be made when you’re doing something else like admiring the changing leaves or picking a pumpkin. Pair it with potatoes for a full meal.
The Piccata sauce makes ample use of butter and flour to create a sauce that shows off the flavor of the chicken. Capers are something you can find in your supermarket. If you’ve never tried before, you’ll be delighted at the piquant interest they bring to this dish. Chicken breasts have a burst of lemon that develops over time. Place them in the slow cooker after they’ve been seared in a hot plate. The additional ingredients are in the pot to merge together when they’ve been left there over time. Bring this one out and place it on top of warm potatoes for a pleasing meal.
How ever you cook your chicken, make sure it’s a winner!
