Boneless, skinless chicken breasts are versatile, easy to prepare and naturally lower in fat and calories than many other meat options. By itself, though, chicken can be quite boring. Baked, grilled or roasted chicken is probably a regular part of your dinner rotation. So you’ll need some great side dishes for that chicken to bring some excitement to your plate.

Chicken Breasts with Herbs

Using a variety of herbs brings great flavor to chicken breasts.

4 servings

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup chopped Italian (flat leaf) parsley
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
• 3 tablespoons finely shredded lemon peel
• 3 large cloves finely chopped garlic 
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 3/4 cup chicken broth

Directions

In small bowl stir together parsley, oregano, lemon peel and garlic. Set aside. Season chicken with salt and pepper.

In a 10-inch skillet over medium-high heat cook chicken in butter for 6 minutes or until browned, turning once. Transfer to plate.

Remove skillet from the heat; stir in half the herb mixture. Return to the heat. Add broth; bring to boiling, stirring to scrape up browned bits.

Return chicken to the skillet; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, 8 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink.

Pour the pan sauce over the chicken and sprinkle with the remaining herb mixture.

Make a new dish by changing the sauce:

Mustard Wine

In place of the chicken broth above add 1/2 cup white wine and 2 tablespoons Dijon mustard. Continue with the recipe above.

Mushrooms and Sage

Brown 8 oz. sliced cremini mushrooms in the pan after the chicken is removed. Add the chicken broth and 3 tablespoons chopped fresh sage instead of the oregano. Continue with the recipe above.

Tomato

Turn the heat up after removing the chicken and add 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes (about 12 oz.). Cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to burst, about 5 minutes.  Add the remaining ingredients to the pan. Crush the tomatoes slightly to release their juices and continue with the recipe above.

Baked Onions with Fennel Crumbs

Ingredients

• 3 medium red or sweet onions, peeled and cut in half, root ends left intact but trimmed so they lay flat
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing
• Kosher salt
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 6 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1/4 cup panko crumbs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh minced sage

Directions

Preheat the oven to 425°F. Brush the onion halves with olive oil, season with salt and arrange cut side down in an ovenproof medium skillet. Add the chicken stock and scatter the bay leaves around the onions. Cover tightly with foil and bake for about 1 1/2 hours, until the onions are very tender.

Meanwhile, in a small skillet, toast the fennel seeds over moderate heat, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a work surface and let cool, then coarsely crush the seeds. Transfer to a small bowl, add the panko crumbs, sage and 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Toss and season with salt.

Carefully turn the onions cut side up in the skillet. Spoon the bread crumb mixture on top and bake for about 15 minutes longer, until the crumbs are lightly browned and crisp. Discard the bay leaves and serve the onions hot or warm.

Fresh Corn and Squash Saute

4 servings

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/2 small white onion, finely diced
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 3 small zucchini, diced
• 3 ears corn, husks and silk removed
• Sea salt to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• Shredded fresh basil leaves, for garnish
• Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

Directions

Heat butter in a skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Add garlic and onion and stir onion until translucent, about 5 minutes. Cut kernels from the ears of corn. Add zucchini and corn; cook and stir until the vegetables are tender, about 8 minutes. Season with sea salt and pepper. Add shredded basil and grated cheese to taste.

Green Bean and Vegetable Medley

6 servings

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound fresh green beans, cut into 1-inch lengths
• 2 carrots, cut into thick strips
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 onion, sliced
• 1 pound fresh cremini mushrooms, sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon dried rosemary
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper

Directions

Place green beans and carrots in 1 inch of boiling water. Cover and cook until tender but still firm. Drain.

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic, onions and mushrooms until almost tender.

Reduce heat, cover and simmer 3 minutes. Stir in green beans, carrots, salt, herbs and white pepper. Cover and cook for 5 minutes over medium heat.

Au Gratin Potatoes

4 servings

Ingredients

• 4 large russet potatoes, sliced into 1/4 inch slices
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups milk
• 1 1/2 cups good quality shredded white or yellow cheddar cheese

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Butter a 2 quart casserole dish.

Layer 1/2 of the potatoes into the bottom of the prepared casserole dish. sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with the onion and add the remaining potatoes. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

In a medium-size saucepan, melt butter over medium heat. Mix in the flour and salt and stir constantly with a whisk for one minute. Stir in milk very slowly. Cook until the mixture has thickened.

Stir in cheese all at once and continue stirring until melted, about 30 to 60 seconds. Pour cheese sauce over the potatoes. Cover the dish with aluminum foil with the side facing the potatoes sprayed with cooking spray.

Bake 1 hour and 10 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove foil and bake for 20 minutes more.

Penne with Broccoli and Ricotta

Serves 4

Ingredients

Coarse salt

• 8 oz penne or other short pasta
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup ricotta cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add penne and cook 2 minutes less than the package instructions for al dente; add broccoli. Cook 2 minutes or until penne is al dente and broccoli is bright green.

Reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta water, drain pasta and broccoli; set aside.

In the same pan, heat oil over medium. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring constantly, until onion is tender and beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add the reserved pasta water to help loosen any browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Add penne and broccoli and cook until warmed through; season with salt and pepper. Transfer pasta mixture to a serving dish and mix in the ricotta cheese. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and serve.

Posted by Jovina Coughlin in broccoli, Cheese, corn, Garlic, green beans, Healthy Italian Cooking, Herbs, mushrooms, onion, Pasta, potatoes, Sauces, tomatoes, Vegan, zucchini Tags: side dishes