Susans Walnut Chicken Recipes

WALNUT CHICKEN WITH MUSHROOMS IN CREAMY MUSTARD SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix together 1/2 cup of the chicken broth. 1/4 cup of the chopped walnuts, and 2 teaspoons minced garlic. Pour it in an 8x8 or 9x9 baking dish.
• Arrange chicken pieces in the the baking pan, turning to be sure all pieces are well coated with the nutty broth sauce. Season both sides of the chicken breasts with basil, salt and pepper. Place the pan in the refrigerator to marinate for about 1 hour. (If you're running short on time, it's OK to skip the 1-hour refrigeration step; just be sure the chicken is well coated on all sides with the nutty broth sauce.).
• Bake chicken breasts in the nutty broth sauce for about 30-45 minutes at 375 degrees, or until juice runs clear in the chicken.
• When chicken is about half done (about 15-20 minutes into the roasting time), saute the remaining 1/4 cup walnuts and remaining 1/2 cup broth in a skillet over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes. Add the sliced mushrooms, and stir, continuing to saute until the mushrooms are tender.
• In separate skillet, saute the remaining 2 teaspoons garlic in the butter for about 2 minutes over medium-low heat. Add the Dijon mustard and stir well. Add the cream and continue cooking, stirring constantly, until the sauce just begins to thicken.
• Pour the mustard sauce over the chicken breasts. Top with the nutty mushroom mixture.
• Sprinkle chopped green onions (scallions) over the top, if desired.
• NOTE: When I use extra thick chicken breasts, so they cook more thoroughly I cut a slit about 1 inch in depth in the side of each breast (to make a pocket) before placing it in the oven. I also chop the mushrooms (rather than just leave them sliced). Then, Step #6 would be to spoon the nutty mushroom mixture inside the pockets after the chicken breasts are fully cooked. Then pour sauce over the stuffed, cooked chicken breasts and top with chopped green onions. You might want to do this too, if the chicken breats are rather thick.

CHICKEN WITH WALNUTS, BELL PEPPERS (CAPSICUM) AND GREEN ONIONS

Steps:

• Chop chicken, walnuts, bell peppers, green onions and ginger. I sometimes do this in the morning (or the night before), and put the components in the refrigerator, in covered containers.
• If you chop ahead of time, store chicken on its own, store onions and peppers together, store walnuts on their own, and store ginger on its own. If you chop ahead of time, take all items out of fridge at least two hours before final cooking.
• For sauce, put cornstarch into bowl. Stir in soy sauce. Stir in Chinese cooking wine (or substitutes), ginger, chilli and sugar. Don't add water yet. Set aside.
• Do all cooking in a wok if you can.
• Saute bell peppers and onions in two tablespoons oil for two minutes. Stir frequently. Remove from heat, and set aside.
• Saute walnuts in same pan for one minute (don't add more oil yet). Stir frequently. Remove from heat, and set aside.
• Saute half the chicken pieces in same pan until cooked (first add two tablespoons of oil). Stir frequently. Remove from heat, and set aside.
• Saute other half of chicken pieces until cooked (probably don't add more oil). Stir frequently.
• Add first set of chicken pieces to second set of pieces.
• When chicken is hot, add soy sauce mixture.
• Pour water into pan used for soy sauce mixture. Swirl in pan and add to chicken.
• Stir well.
• When mixture thickens (just a bit) add vegetables.
• Stir thoroughly and warm through. Might take a minute, covered.
• Serve over rice.