Chicken Meals for Two
Chicken is high in protein and low in fat, making it a healthy meat choice. Chicken is also a highly versatile meat; it can be used in everything from soups to skillet dinners. The chicken breasts and wings are the leanest cuts of meat if you want to reduce fat. If you are cooking dinner for two, whether you want an elaborate spread or an easy recipe, consider chicken as the centerpiece of your meal. Does this Spark an idea?
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Whole Chicken
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A whole chicken can be stuffed with aromatics like celery, onions, carrots or even whole lemons to infuse the chicken with flavor. Then, bake it in the oven for about one hour and 45 minutes or until the juices flow clear and the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit when a meat thermometer is stuck in the thigh without touching any bone. If you have a barbecue grill with a rotisserie spit, you can make rotisserie chicken. A whole chicken dinner goes well with side dishes like mashed potatoes, rice and any vegetable of your choice. If the whole chicken is too much for two people to eat, you can use the leftovers for sandwiches, salads or soups.
Skillet Dinners
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Chicken skillet dinners use only one skillet to make an entire meal, which means less cleanup for you. The possibilities for a chicken skillet dinner are virtually endless. Start with two boneless chicken breasts, whole or cubed. You can saute them with onions and peppers or other vegetables, if you prefer. Next, add your choice of sauce, such as creamy soup, salsa or honey mustard dressing. Finish with a starch, such as rice, noodles, potatoes or quinoa. For a Mexican-style chicken skillet, simmer chicken, peppers, onions, corn, black beans and salsa. You can serve this over rice or simmer the rice with the chicken. A creamy chicken noodle skillet is made by sauteing diced chicken with carrots, celery and onions. Add a can of cream of mushroom soup with two cans of water. Mix in some egg noodles and simmer until noodles are tender.
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Chicken Soup
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Soup is the perfect meal to break the chill on rainy or wintry days and there are so many chicken soup options. You can make a delicious soup with any ingredients or leftovers you have on hand. Start by sauteing your choice of aromatic spices and vegetables like celery, carrots, onions, garlic, ginger, rosemary, basil, pepper or curry. Add in diced chicken, cook until tender, then add a few cups of chicken stock. From here you can add additional vegetables, rice, noodles, beans or anything else you like. If you want a chicken broth soup, this is all you have to do. You could add some tomato juice or sauce for a tomato-based broth or pour in about 1 cup of cream to make a creamy soup.
Salads
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A chicken salad may be the best option for a last minute meal for two. A salad lets both of you pick and choose the ingredients you want. You can grill chicken breast to be cut up on the salad or you can use leftover chicken. Start with a lettuce base and add your favorite vegetables, such as tomatoes, onions, peppers, mushrooms, broccoli or cucumbers. You can add beans for additional fiber -- black beans and kidney beans are good choices. Cheese, bacon bits, croutons, French fried onion rings and tortilla strips are popular toppings. Another type of chicken salad combines diced or shredded chicken with mayonnaise and fruits and vegetables like onions, celery, apples and grapes. You can add some healthy omega-3 fatty acids with the addition of walnuts. This type of chicken salad can be eaten alone, on bread or on a bed of lettuce.
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References
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