Food brings family and friends together and is understood in every country and language around the world. It is comforting and at times surprising, but it always is the way to heal the soul.
Finding meals for one or for your entire family can be cumbersome at times. What to eat that's fast, easy to prepare and healthy at times is hard to come by and we find ourselves settling for fast food that is greasy, fatty and unhealthy. These prepared recipes I'm sure you will find to be nutritious and satisfying to your tastebuds and tummy ( Well, that is my hope at least!). Please leave comments to let me know how it came out and how you liked it!
“There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that is was from the hand of God. ~ Ecclesiastes 2:24”
Please note that I am not a cook that measures anything unless I am baking, so my recipes will not be exact and you may need to alter them based on your own personal tastebuds.
The Best Baked Chicken Recipe
Prepare the chicken: Prior to cleaning chicken be sure your sink and cabinets are clean and all utensils are readily available to use to help prevent cross contamination. Be sure to remove the plastic packaging and place chicken in a large bowl. I normally use metal or plastic. Sit the bowl with the chicken in the sink and clean the chicken with vinegar and/or kosher salt. I generally use both. Once cleaned, pat the chicken dry with paper towels.
Baking the chicken: I like to use a cast iron skillet to cook the chicken in but any baking dish, metal or glass can be used as long as the chicken fits and there is room around the chicken for the chickens juices that will run out considerably.
Seasonings: Turmeric, paprika, pepper, Himalayan pink salt, pepper, garlic, lemon pepper seasoning, cayenne pepper, and extra virgin olive oil
Fresh garlic, lemon cut in quarters, small half sweet onion unpeeled, apple cut in half or quarters( miniature carrots and celery can also be used)
In the cavity of the chicken put salt and pepper. Next place the fresh garlic, lemon cut in quarters, small half sweet onion unpeeled and apple cut in half or quarters ( miniature carrots and celery can also be used) in the cavity of the chicken. The lemon ensures the chicken stays moist and juicy and the remaining items give the chicken flavor.
Next, in a measuring cup put all of your seasoning combined and add the extra virgin olive oil until you have approximately 1 cup. Mix the ingredients with a spoon. Carefully lift the skin on top of the chicken and pour some of the mixture on each side of the breast under the skin. Pour the remaining mixture all over the chicken, being sure to fully cover the wings.
Bake the chicken for the first 15 minutes on 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, lower the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit for the remaining 45 minutes or until chicken is fully cooked and registers at least 165 degrees on the thermometer and looks a little crispy on the outside. You can baste the chicken 1-2 times while cooking, but be sure to baste with the juices once it comes out of the oven. Let the chicken rest for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. Chicken will be crispy on the outside and juicy and fall apart tender on the inside if done correctly.
Just as a note any of your favorite seasonings can be used. I like to use paprika and turmeric in every recipe that I make with chicken. Mainly because of the health benefits that turmeric provides and the flavor the two combined create when baking, but choose what you love!
Beware if you have white cabinets using turmeric because it will stain easily!