SLOW-COOKED ORIENTAL CHICKEN

1 broiler-fryer chicken (3 1/2-4 lbs), cut up
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/3 cup soy sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 cup slivered almonds

in a large skillet over medium heat, brown the chicken in oil on both sides. transfer to a slow cooker. combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, water, garlic, and ginger; pour over chicken. cover and cook on HIGH for 1 hour. reduce heat to LOW; cook 4-5 hours longer or until the meat juices run clear. remove chicken to a serving platter; sprinkle with almonds. spoon juices over chicken or thicken, if desired.

4-6 servings

SAVORY GRILLED CHICKEN

3-4 pounds chicken pieces
1 (16 oz) bottle italian salad dressing
1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
1/3 cup honey
1/4 cup worcestershire sauce
2 teaspoons paprika

placd chicken in a large glass baking dish. in a bowl, stir together remaining ingredients until well blended. reserve 1/2 cup marinade for basting chicken during grilling. pour remaining marinade over chicken. cover dish with aluminum foil. refrigerate 1 hour, turning chicken once. to grill chicken, line inside of grill with aluminum foil. puncture foil at grill vent openings. remove chicken from marinade. discard marinade. turning and basting occasionally with reserved marinade, grill chicken over medium-hot coals until tender, 40-50 minutes.

6-8 servings

ZESTY CHICKEN AND PASTA

1/4 cup tequila
1/4 cup low-sugar frozen limeade, thawed
1 tablespoon grated lime peel
1 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breast halves, cut into strips
1 small orange OR yellow bell pepper, cut into 1/4″ strips
1 1/2 cups sliced mushrooms (about 4 oz)
1 clove garlic, finely chopped
1 (16 oz) package uncooked low-fat spinach fettucini
1/2 cup reduced-fat parmesan cheese, grated

mix tequila, limeade and lime peel in a medium glass or plastic bowl. stir in chicken. cover and refrigerator for 30 minutes.

place chicken and marinade in a 12″ skillet. stir in bell pepper, mushrooms and garlic. cook over medium-high heat 10 to 12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken is no longer pink in center.

cook fettucini as directed on package; drain. divide among 6 serving plates.

spoon chicken mixture over fettucini. sprinkle with cheese. garnish with additional grated lime peel if desired.

6 servings

SPECIAL ROAST TURKEY

1 (12-14 lb) turkey

2 cups water

2 1/2 cups chicken broth, divided

1 1/2 cups orange juice, divided

4 tablespoons soy sauce, divided

1 tablespoon chicken bouillon granules

1 teaspoon dried minced onion

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

ORANGE GIBLET GRAVY:

3/4 cup cup chicken broth

1/4 cup orange juice

2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce

1/2 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon pepper

3  tablespoons cornstarch

1/2 cup water

place turkey on a greased rack in a roasting pan. add water, giblets and neck to pan. combine 1 1/4 cups broth, 3/4 cup orange juice and 2 tablespoons soy sauce; pour over turkey. combine bouillon, onion and garlic powder; sprinkle over turkey, bake, uncovered, at 325 degrees for 3 1/2 hours, basting every 30 minutes. when turkey begins to brown, cover lightly with foil. remove giblets and neck when tender; set aside for gravy. combine remaining broth, orange juice and soy sauce. remove foil from turkey; pour broth mixture over turkey. bake 30 minutes longer or until a meat thermometer reads 180 degrees.

for gravy: remove meat from neck and discard the bones. chop giblets and neck meat; set aside. in a saucepan, combine 2 cups pan juices, broth, orange juice and worcestershire sauce; mix well. stir in thyme, sugar and pepper. combine cornstarch and water until smooth. whisk into broth mixture. cook and stir for 2 minutes. stir in reserved giblets and neck meat. carve turkey; serve with gravy.

8 servings

SAVORY CRANBERRY BAKED CHICKEN

1 (4 lb) fryer chicken, cut up
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons minced onion
1 (16 oz) can whole-berry cranberry sauce
1 (8 oz) can tomato sauce
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 teaspoon garlic salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

in a 13″x9″x2″ baking dish, arrange chicken pieces and season, if desired. bake at 425° for 20 minutes. reduce heat to 325° and bake 20 minutes longer. meanwhile, in a saucepan, heat oil and saute onion. stir in remaining ingredients and simmer10 minutes. after chicken has baked, drain fat and pour sauce over chicken. return to the oven and bake 15-20 minutes longer.

4-6 servings

GRILLED AU VIN CHICKEN

6 chicken thighs, skinless (about 1 1/2 lbs)
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon butter OR margarine
2 tablespoons shallots, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup red currant jelly
1/2 cup red wine
1/4 cooked chicken stock OR orange juice
1 grated orange rind
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

put chicken thighs in a freezer bag.

in a saucepan, heat oil and margarine. add shallots and garlic; cook over medium heat for 5 minutes or until softened.

add jelly, wine, stock, orange rind, mustard and ginger.

heat until the jelly has just melted. remove from heat and cool to lukewarm.

pour marinade into freezer bag with chicken, close bag, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

drain marinade into a saucepan and bring it to a boil. reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. use as a basting sauce during grilling.

turn the grill to medium heat. grill for 20 minutes. brush occasionally with marinade.

turn thighs and cook another 10 to 20 minutes. continue brushing occasionally with marinade until done.

6 servings

HUNAN GRILLED CHICKEN

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/2 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1/2 cup rice wine
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon scallions, chopped
1/2″ slice of ginger root

cut chicken breast in half.

mix soy sauce, brown sugar, rice wine, sesame oil, scallions and ginger root together in a shallow pan large enough to hold breasts in one layer.

place chicken in marinade, turning to coat and rub marinade into breasts.

marinate at least 1 hour, or overnight.

grill chicken over hot coals for under broiler.

strain marinade, bring to a boil, and serve it with the chicken.

SWISS CHICKEN WITH STUFFING

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 slices swiss cheese
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can cream of celery soup
1 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup milk
2 cups packaged stuffing mix
1/4 cup butter, melted
enough salt and pepper to season chicken

season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper.
place the chicken in the bottom of a slow cooker.
place one slice of swiss cheese on each piece of chicken.
pour in the broth.
place the soups and milk in a mixing bowl and stir well to combine.
pour into the slow cooker.
add the stuffing mix.
pour the melted butter over the top of the stuffing mix, being sure to cover it all.
cover and cook on LOW 8 hours.

LIQUID SMOKE BOURBON CHICKEN

2 pounds boneless chicken breast
1 cup jim beam bourbon whiskey
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup ketchup
1/2 teaspoon hickory liquid smoke
2 teaspoons worcestershire sauce
1/4 cup white vinegar
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
salt and pepper, to taste

combine all ingredients except chicken. brush chicken with a thin coating of glaze and place on grill.

continue to baste while turning chicken.

BRUSCHETTA CHICKEN

1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup egg substitute
4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (4 oz each)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup dry bread crumbs
1 tablespoon butter, melted
2 large tomatoes, seeded and chopped
3 tablespoons minced fresh basil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper

place flour and eggs in separate shallow bowls. dip chicken in flour, then in eggs; place in a greased 13″x9″ baking dish. combine the parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and butter; sprinkle over chicken.

loosely cover baking dish with foil. bake at 375° for 20 minutes. uncover; bake 5-10 minutes longer or until a meat thermometer reads170°.

meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the remaining ingredients. spoon over the chicken. return to the oven for 3-5 minutes or until tomato mixture is heated through.

4 servings