Friday, June 18, 2010

Western Chicken

I don't know why this is Western Chicken. I do know that when it was cold and raining last night, again, I remembered that a restaurant we used to frequent made this. I don't recall which it was, but it was either one from Connecticut in the early 1980s, or one from the late 1980s. Either way, there were no leftovers except some rice. Good think Thor believes rice is food.

WESTERN CHICKEN

Boneless, skinless chicken thighs
Barbecue sauce
Chopped Chives
Sliced mozzarella

Open the chicken thighs out flat, and place in the bottom of the broiler pan. Broil for 5 minutes, flip over and broil the other side for 5 minutes. Drain the fat off, and reduce the oven temperature to 325F. Pour the barbecue sauce over the chicken, and return to the oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until the chicken is done. Sprinkle the top with chopped chives and cover with thick slices of mozzarella. Return to the oven for about 5 minutes, until the cheese melts.
I served this with long grain and wild rice. I used the packaged mix, but threw out the seasoning packet. I cooked 3 cups of rice with 6 cups of water, 1 stick butter, 1 minced onion, 1 tsp salt, and 1/2 cup minced parsley. Let's face it, the seasoning packets are nothing but a buttload of salt anyway, so I just create my own flavorings. The rice was great. Peas simmered up with a few mint leaves and a touch each of salt and sugar rounded out the meal.

Thor gets whatever's left in the pans after dinner, usually some starch and meat scraps. He hasn't been fed in his mind if he doesn't get human food. So it's a good thing he believes rice is real food, because that's all that was left for him (other than some stray peas, which he spits all over the floor).

Hope you all have a good weekend planned. I'm planning some quality time with my sewing machine, after I enjoy the sunshine this afternoon. There may be some strawberry picking in the works, along with a trip to Toy Story 3. It's good to have little kids; the big kids get a chance to see all the "fun" movies!

18 comments:

Diane said...

The mozzerella on top makes this dish extra special. Hope you enjoyed the sun, we still have to see it yet! Diane

Big Dude said...

Looks delicious Marjie and a grilled version is one of Bevs favorite chicken dishes. When the chicken is done, we top with BBQ sauce, chopped onion and cheese, (just as you did), close the grill lid and cook til cheese is melted.

gMarie said...

My dogs think everything is food - including the package it comes in! They would have eaten the peas.

Looks yummy. I'm tired of cold and raining already. g

~~louise~~ said...

What a GREAT way to brown those thighs up. I never thought to broil them first. Way cool...

It sounds like you have a Marjie weekend planned. Well good for you, enjoy:)

AND,
Yes you may play.
You're invited.
Can't wait to meet the letter A

SissySees said...

Giggle... Fred didn't believe in peas either.

I think Neighbor Guy or Cherry Pie fixes something very similar, but they have another name for it. If I remember what it is - or Neighbor Guy wanders in the office - I'll let you know.

The Blonde Duck said...

YUM!

Pam said...

We are heading to Toy Story 3 too! The chicken dish looks fantastic... another great use for your chives.

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Marjie, this is perfect - cheicken, onions BBQ sauce and cheese. You know how to please your picky eaters!

Kapitein Haakje said...

that looks soooo nice :)

Kissslobbers
El'bow & Hauwii

Lucille said...

Oh yes... I do love kids movies too...
Thanks for the recipe, I will ask my human to cook it for me...
But I already know she will keep it all for herself ... :(
Ciao Lucille

Ann Made Studio said...

Looks delicious!

Tatersmama said...

Mmm! Marjie, this looks and sounds delicious! Anything with cheese is a winner, as far as I'm concerned. :)

pam said...

I'm with Thor, I tend to spit my peas all over the floor too.

buffalodick said...

I think there are 5 different chicken posts that are up today!

Paula said...

"All we are saying, is give "peas" a chance!" (Um, let me apologize now to John Lennon for messing with his lyrics!) Since you are having to deal with rain anyway, how about you pack up that crew of yours and just move to Oregon! That way, we could eat this yummy dinner together! :-)

Mickle in NZ said...

Whatever the name, the chicken thighs look super scrummy. I'm with Thor on the peas (.my stroppy innards don't like them)

Confess I borrowed 2 children from one of Dad's workmates back in 1986 in order to go to a re-run of Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" as I'd never seen it. I hope you had a great time seeing the latest Toy Story movie.

Lapdog Creations said...

That sounds delish - and now I'm so hungry!

grace said...

this is the kind of recipe i like to see--four straightforward and common ingredients. great dish, marjie!