Sicilian Baked Chicken Recipes

EASY ITALIAN BAKED CHICKEN BREAST RECIPE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Pat chicken dry. Place a chicken breast in a large zip-top bag and zip the top (make sure to release any air in the bag first), then place it on your poultry cutting board. Using a meat mallet like this one, pound to flatten the chicken. Repeat the process with the remaining chicken breast pieces.
• Season the chicken with kosher salt and pepper on both sides and place in a large mixing bowl or dish. Add spices, minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, and lemon juice. Combine to make sure the chicken is evenly coated with the spices and garlic.
• In a large lightly oiled baking dish or pan, spread the onion slices on the bottom. Arrange seasoned chicken on top, and add the tomatoes.
• Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 10 minutes covered, then uncover and bake for another 8 to 10 minutes or so. Watch carefully. This can take less or more time depending on the thickness of your chicken breasts. To be sure the chicken is cooked through, use an instant digital cooking thermometer. It should register 165 degrees F.
• Remove from the heat. Let the chicken breasts rest (cover with foil or another pan) for 5 to 10 minutes or so before serving. Uncover and garnish with fresh parsley and basil. Enjoy!

SICILIAN ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch pan with cooking spray.
• Arrange chicken pieces in the baking pan. Sprinkle salt, pepper, paprika, garlic powder, and oregano over both sides.
• Roast in the preheated oven until chicken is browned and the juices run clear, about 1 hour. An instant-read thermometer inserted near the bone should read 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

SPICY SICILIAN BAKED CHICKEN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F.
• Place the chicken, sausage and potatoes in a 9x13 baking pan.
• Scatter as many hot cherry peppers as you feel comfortable with (I love heat, so I put a lot!) in the pan.
• To really get the flavor, drizzle a bit of the pepper/vinegar "juice" from the jar over the chicken, etc.
• Drizzle the whole thing with olive oil, then season everything with salt, pepper and a bit of oregano.
• Bake until chicken is cooked through - depending on size/type of chicken pieces, about 70-80 minutes.
• Eat ravenously.

SICILIAN CHICKEN PARMESAN

Steps:

• Carefully slice each chicken breast horizontally. Don't worry if they're not perfect or if one half comes out real thin as you slice each one. Believe me, no one will notice.
• Mix the breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup Parmesan in a shallow dish. Have the beaten eggs in another shallow dish.
• Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat.
• Dip each chicken breast into the egg, allowing excess to drip off, and then into the breadcrumb mixture, covering both sides. Place chicken onto a clean plate. Do this with all the chicken before starting to cook them.
• Preheat oven to 350F/180°C.
• Pour about 3-4 tablespoons olive oil into the pan and let it get hot. Fry the chicken about 2-3 minutes each side and transfer to a plate. Add more oil to pan as needed.
• Ladle the tomato sauce (about 1 cup) into the baking dish to cover the bottom. Put the chicken breasts into the dish in a single layer or slightly overlapping.
• Layer the parma ham over the chicken at this point, if using.
• Ladle more tomato sauce (about 1 cup) over the chicken. Sprinkle the grated mozzarella all over the chicken to cover, then sprinkle the 1/4 cup grated parmesan.
• Bake for 30-45 minutes, or until cheese has melted and become slightly golden in color.
• Serve with pasta,remaining tomato sauce, a crusty loaf of bread and salad.
• Enjoy!

SICILIAN LEMON CHICKEN WITH RAISIN-TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Soak the raisins in warm water until they plump, about 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir in the onion, garlic, pine nuts, and olives. Season with bay leaves, oregano, and cayenne. Cook until the onions have softened and begun to turn golden, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper; cook for 5 more minutes. Add the raisins, balsamic vinegar, and sugar; cook, stirring occasionally until thickened, about 5 more minutes. Remove the bay leaves, and stir in the julienned basil. Cover and keep warm.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• While the pasta is cooking, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. While the skillet is heating, toss the chicken with the lemon juice to coat (the lemon zest will be used later). Cook the chicken on both sides until golden brown and the juices run clear, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a warm plate, and allow to rest for about five minutes.
• To serve, slice each chicken breast against the grain into thin slices. Divide the pasta into four wide, shallow bowls. Fan the chicken slices out over top of the pasta, and spoon the tomato sauce over them. Sprinkle with lemon zest, Parmesan cheese, and a sprig of basil to garnish.

SICILIAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap and pound each breast half to 1/2-inch thickness using a meat mallet or heavy skillet.
• Sprinkle both sides of the chicken with salt and pepper.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
• Place flour in a shallow dish; dredge chicken in flour.
• Add chicken to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until lightly browned.
• Add wine; cook 1 minute.
• Add olives and the next 4 ingredients (through tomatoes); bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat, and simmer 8 minutes or until chicken is done.
• Sprinkle with basil.

SPICY SICILIAN CHICKEN

Steps:

• Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 500 degrees F. Put the onions, olives, chiles and bay leaves on a rimmed baking sheet. Cut 1 orange half into wedges and add to the baking sheet.
• Evenly space the chicken thighs, skin-side up, on the baking sheet on top of the other ingredients. Drizzle with the olive oil and squeeze the juice from the remaining orange half on top. Season with salt.
• Roast until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crisp and golden, 30 to 35 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. Serve the chicken with the onions, olives, oranges and pan juices.