Lemon Chicken with Creamy Lemon Cream Pasta

Lemon is one of my favorite flavors and is such a versatile flavor to use in your cooking.  Fresh, tangy and absolutely delectable describe the recipe I am about to describe to you: Lemon Chicken with Creamy Lemon Cream Pasta.  You don't even need to feel too guilty about the cream sauce as it is made with, get this: FAT FREE MILK!  So delicious...read on for the full scoop.

Lemon Chicken with Creamy Lemon Cream Pasta
(serves 1)

Ingredients:
1 3oz chicken cutlet
1 egg
1/4 breadcrumbs
Olive Oil
2 small lemons (zest and juice)
1 TBSP butter
1/2 shallot
2 TBSP Flour
1 clove garlic
1 1/2 cups of fat free milk
1 cup pasta of your choice (I used gemelli)

Instructions:
1. Bring a pot of water to a boil, lightly salt and cook pasta according to package directions.  Drain and set aside.
2. As pasta cooks, lightly beat the egg.  Squeeze one lemon into egg mixture.  Place Chicken breast in mixture and let marinate for 5 minutes.
3. Add the zest of one lemon to the breadcrumbs.
4. Lightly bread chicken with breadcrumbs. Fry chicken in a skillet prepared with olive oil until cooked through. Transfer to a paper towel lined plate.
5.  To make cream sauce: finely dice shallot and garlic clove.  Melt butter in a nonstick skillet.  Add shallot and garlic and cook until slightly browned.
6.  Add 2 TBSP flour and stir until shallots and garlic are coated.  Add in 1 1/2 cups of milk and whisk until mixture is smooth.  Bring mixture to a boil and lower heat to remain simmering, allow to thicken, stirring occasionally.  Finish sauce with juice and zest of one lemon and stir one last time to combine.
7.  Toss cooked pasta with sauce, and plate.  Top with cooked chicken breast and garnish with fresh parsley  and lemon slices (optional).

Caprese Chicken

A delicious easy weeknight dinner to whip up in your kitchen, Caprese Chicken is one of my favorite dishes.  It starts with simple ingredients: chicken breast, fresh mozzarella, basil and tomatoes.  I like to make this dinner using my Le Creuset grill pan.  So easy!  Read below for instructions.

Caprese Chicken
(serves 4)

Ingredients:
4 3oz Chicken Breasts
1 bottle Lawry's Herb and White Wine marinade
2 Plum Tomatoes
4 slices of Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
Handful of Fresh Basil

Instructions:
1. Place chicken breasts in a zip lock bag and cover generously with marinade ( you may not need the whole bottle, it keeps nicely in the fridge for a few days) let marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Spray a non-stick grill pan with some cooking spray (I use Pam)
3. Place chicken breasts on grill pan once it has heated up to where a drop of water sizzles on the surface.
4. Grill chicken until cooked through (about 10-12 minutes in my experience, 5 minutes per side).
5. Once chicken is cooked through, top each chicken breast with a slice of fresh mozzarella.  Let cheese melt over the chicken then remove to a serving platter.
6. Top each chicken breast with two generous slices of tomato and some fresh basil..

How easy right?!  This dish is perfect for a busy weeknight. I serve it with pasta and a fresh romaine salad to create a nice well-rounded meal. Place the chicken in the marinade early in the day for even better results! I even find time to make this dish before heading to work on the nightshift.  It keeps nicely in the fridge and if you want to pack it for work, keep the chicken separate from the tomatoes and basil.  Top the chicken with the tomatoes and basil once you have heated it up sufficiently.