Skillet Chicken And Zucchini With Charred Scallion Salsa Recipes

CRISPY PAN-SEARED CHICKEN AND ZUCCHINI WITH OLIVES AND LEMON

Steps:

• Cut zucchini in half lengthwise. Using the tip of your knife, deeply score cut sides in a crosshatch pattern, spacing about 1/2" apart. Toss zucchini and 1 tsp. salt in a colander set over a bowl. Let sit 10 minutes, then pat dry with paper towels (discard any liquid in bowl).
• Meanwhile, coat a large cast-iron skillet with 1 Tbsp oil. Season chicken on all sides with 1/4 tsp. pepper and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt and arrange in cold skillet (skin side down) in a single layer. Heat over medium and cook, undisturbed, until skin is deep golden brown and chicken is almost cooked through, 10-12 minutes. Turn chicken and continue to cook just until cooked through and lightly browned underneath, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a platter (skin side up).
• Arrange zucchini (cut side down) in hot chicken fat in skillet. Increase heat to medium-high and cook until surfaces are charred, 6-8 minutes. Turn and continue to cook until skin side is browned, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to platter with chicken.
• Heat garlic and remaining 6 Tbsp. oil in a small saucepan over medium until garlic is sizzling and just barely beginning to brown, 3-4 minutes. Add chile and olives and cook, stirring occasionally, until chile starts to sizzle and brown slightly, 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in oregano and lemon zest.
• Spoon garlic oil over zucchini and chicken. Squeeze some lemon juice over and serve with additional wedges alongside.

SKILLET CHICKEN AND ZUCCHINI ENCHILADAS WITH TOMATILLO SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 12" (preferably cast-iron) skillet over medium-high. Add onion and cook, stirring, until it starts to soften, about 2 minutes. Add zucchini, coriander, cumin, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring, until onion and zucchini are softened and lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Stir 1 1/2 cups salsa, scraping up any brown bits from the pan. Fold in the chicken and cook until warmed through, about 1 minute. Transfer enchilada filling to a medium bowl; set skillet aside (do not wipe out).
• Meanwhile, wrap tortillas in damp paper towels and microwave on high in 30-second bursts, flipping after each burst, until warmed, about 1 minute total. Alternatively, wrap in foil and heat in a 350°F oven until warmed through, 10-12 minutes.
• Pour 1 cup salsa into reserved skillet. Working with one at a time, dip tortillas in salsa until coated on both sides; transfer to a large rimmed baking sheet. Divide enchilada filling among tortillas. Roll each tortilla around filling and place seam side down in skillet, arranging in a pinwheel formation.
• Heat enchiladas over medium-high. Pour remaining salsa over enchiladas, making sure each is coated. Sprinkle with cheese. Cover with a lid or large baking sheet and cook until cheese is melted and enchiladas are warmed through, about 3 minutes. Top with sour cream, avocado, and cilantro. Serve with lime wedges alongside.

FAST, EASY CHICKEN IN SALSA WITH ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Cut the chicken breast pieces into 2 or 3 fingers.
• Trim the ends from the zucchini, and cut them in quarters lengthwise.
• Clean and quarter the mushrooms.
• Saute the chicken in the oil until lightly browned on both sides, then add the zucchini and saute it until lightly browned on all sides.
• Add the mushrooms, cook a minute or two more until they are softened.
• Add the salsa and heat through.
• As you are cooking the vegetables, keep turning the chicken in the pan to ensure it too is cooked through.
• Serve over cous-cous for the fastest dinner, or with noodles or rice.

CURRIED CHICKEN BREAST WITH ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Put chicken pieces in a bowl and add 1 tablespoon of the oil, salt and pepper.
• Trim off the ends of the zucchini and cut it into 12 rounds, each about 1/2-inch thick. Add zucchini and curry powder to the chicken and blend well with the fingers to coat the pieces evenly.
• Heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil in a heavy skillet and add the chicken pieces in one layer. Scatter the zucchini rounds between the chicken pieces, preferably in one layer. Cook over moderately high heat until chicken pieces are nicely browned on one side, about 3 minutes. Turn the chicken pieces and the zucchini rounds and cook over moderately low heat about 5 minutes.
• Transfer chicken pieces and zucchini rounds to a warm serving dish.
• Pour off the fat from the skillet and add the butter. Add shallots and cook, stirring, about 30 seconds. Add broth and cook until reduced to about 1/3 cup. Add cream, stir and bring to a boil. Return chicken and zucchini pieces to the sauce and turn the pieces in the sauce. Cook about 2 minutes.

SKILLET CHICKEN AND ZUCCHINI WITH CHARRED SCALLION SALSA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Pat the chicken very dry and season generously all over with salt and pepper.
• Heat the canola or grapeseed oil in a 12-inch cast-iron pan or other large, ovenproof skillet over medium-high. Once the oil shimmers, add the chicken, skin side down, and cook undisturbed until skin turns golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Flip and cook another 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
• Remove the pan from the heat. Add the zucchini and stir to coat in the chicken fat. Season with salt and pepper. Do your best to arrange the zucchini in an even layer (some overlap is O.K.). Place the chicken, skin side up, on top of the zucchini, transfer to the oven and roast until the chicken is cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the salsa: In a medium bowl, stir together the lime juice and jalapeño; set aside. Heat a large skillet over medium. Add the scallions and cook, tossing frequently, until they begin to brown and char in spots, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove and set aside. When cool enough to touch, finely chop the scallions and toss them with the lime mixture. Stir in the cilantro, olive oil and brown sugar until the sugar dissolves. Season to taste with salt.
• Remove the chicken from the oven and transfer to a plate or a cutting board for about 5 minutes. If you want your zucchini more golden, pop it back in the oven while the chicken rests. Slice the chicken, if desired, and return it to the pan or serve it on the bone. Drizzle a few spoonfuls of the salsa over the chicken and season with flaky sea salt, if you'd like. Serve with the remaining salsa at the table.