Sunday, October 30, 2005

Cranberry Kickin' Apple Pickin' Chicken

Ha ha ha! This is another recipe that I found today from way back in the day. The last time I made this I was blitzed off my rocker on Cosmos that my roommate, Doug, made for me! BLITZED!

The short story of this recipe is: I heard somewhere, and it could be false, that Apples and Onions are in the same flora family. And I said, Apples and Cranberries are good together, so therefore, Onions should go together. And voila! I put them all together with chicken and it was tasty yum yum. However, the last time I made it, remember, when I was blitzed....I messed something up and everything ended up really really pink.

Cranberry Kickin' Apple Pickin' Chicken

1lb Boneless/Skinless Chicken Breast
2 Apples, peeled and diced
1 cup dried cranberries (craisins)
1 large Onion, diced
10 cloves of Garlic, minced
1 TB butter
Salt and Pepper
Olive Oil
2T Honey
2T Brown Sugar
Water (maybe a cup or so)
spicy season salt type of thing

Marinate chicken with onions, garlic, olive oil, craisins, apples, salt and pepper, honey and brown sugar for 4 hours (NOTE—generally, half of the ingredients are used as marinade and the rest in the cooking, except Honey & Brown Sugar.)

Saute onions and garlic in olive oil, until translucent, set aside. Add chicken and saute until nearly cooked through, set aside. Add water and craisins & apples, simmer and reduce, add butter and garlic/onion mixture. Return chicken, cook through.

Salt and Pepper to taste

Dash of BAM

Serve with long grain & wild rice, corn and bread, garnish with more craisins and apples

NOTE: I remember rinsing the craisins in warm water, the packaged ones I used seem to have a bit of a waxy covering...?

It's really tasty! When I make it again, I'll make sure to double check everything and note that here.

9 comments:

Dancer in DC said...

I have to say that our friend Heidi and I helped name this wonderful dish the first time it was made. As much fun to say as it is to eat! (And perfect for the fall.)

ScottE. said...

One reason why I posted it...finally!

Lady Brandenburg said...

When you say "generally," does that mean that definitely half the ingredients go to marinade and the other half to cooking? (you know me, I need measurements!)

Lady Brandenburg said...

Also, where do you get craisins?

ScottE. said...

I haven't made this is so long, I can't remember exactly how much I put in the marinade. When I make this the next time, I'm going to do 1/2 in the marinade, and 1/2 later in the cooking. Once I refresh myself, I'll know better.

You should be able to get craisins in the produce section, at the Safeway, they have a section towards the back where you will find raisins and other fruit mixes. That's where I get the craisins. But if I'm at Whole Foods, I try to get them there, they are more natural and better tasting.

But generally Ocean Spray brand is good.

ScottE. said...

Made this tonight: 11/08/05

I used two chicken breasts
1 large apple
4 garlic cloves
1/4 cup of craisins
1 TB each honey and brown sugar
NEW: dash of coriander
1 medium onion
Chix broth, instead of water

1) I didn't marinate the chicken for four hours. About 1/2 hour. It was alright, but I think for that short amount of time, not worth the effort of trying to marinade the chicken.

2) there is honey and brown sugar. used in the marinade. I'd drop it at this point. When I sauted the chicken, the sugars carmelized, too much. Tasty, but it overwhelmed the rest of the flavors of the apples and cranberries. There is enough sugar in the ingredients as is.

3) If I were to marinate the chicken, I would not use garlic. that is the one other flavor to take over.

4) Be sure to add the apples right near the end, otherwise you'll get mush.

Basically my steps tonight included:

1. Marinade the chicken (won't do again)
2. Saute onions and garlic until tender, set aside
3. Saute chicken until nearly done, set aside.
4. Add broth, scrap up bits. Reduce by 1/2.
5. Add cranberries and onions. Simmer for two minutes.
6. Add apples, simmer for a minute.
7. Add butter, stir until incorporated. Add chicken back to pan.
8. Remove from heat and serve.

Lady Brandenburg said...

11/14/05 - yum yum yum!!!

We marinated the chicken in garlic and oil. We had three chicken breasts, used two apples, and just loved this recipe. Yum. We had boiled red potatoes with butter and salt as a side dish. Big success. Thanks for another great recipe!

ScottE. said...

Giddy Up Lady B! I'm happy you liked it. I like how the cranberries, apples and onions sort of make a saucy 'chutney' to put on the chicken.

Lady Brandenburg said...

I'm totally eating leftovers tonight before rehearsal!