What’s for Dinner?” 3 Easy and Quick Chicken recipes
Simple and perfect meal options for busy evenings
FOOD NEGOTIATIONS
5/19/20263 min read
Food has an eternal relation with humans - biologically we cannot live without food. But with mothers this relationship is biological, psychological, spiritual, emotional and super hilarious.
You know what I am trying to say -and if you are a mom I am sure your brain is running the world’s oldest mystery right now “What to cook”. Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Mid-Day Snacks, Evening snacks or healthy food options or am I feeding my children in a right way…. the cycle never ends.
We are meant to be nurturing but sometimes pressure feels like full-time job with overtime. Especially if you got teens or preteens, you know the paradox- they want to eat everything and at the same time, they don’t like anything. It’s like cooking to win MasterChef title every single day with dramatic plating with high-end flavors for a jury that depends on you for survival but changes its verdict every five minutes.
I could write endless anecdotes about my daily encounters with my children on the thrilling topic – “What’s for dinner”- and there super thrilling reactions to my answers. But this blog is not about drama instead some simple solutions. There are few quick chicken recipes I was able to crack somehow which made me hear those golden 5 words – “Mom, this is actually Good”
Honey Garlic Chicken
Instructions
In a bowl add diced boneless chicken and combine with chopped onions and garlic. This is basic but the magic happens when you add some honey for sweetness, soy sauce for strong and tangy flavour, chilli flakes to satisfy the spice craving followed by some lemon juice to combine it all. Add some salt as well but keep in mind soy sauce is high in salt.
Now heat the pan and add some olive oil
Add chicken mixture and cook at medium flame till it is golden brown and tender.
Let’s bring green charm to the dish with some chopped spring onions
Serve hot in a fancy bowl with a bed of brown rice.
Lemon Chicken
Honestly this wasn’t even my idea. It came from my husband’s quick fatherly instincts when we wanted to put something healthy but nice in 20 minutes. Now it is has become our family’s go to comfort meal
Instructions
Pressure Cook – Heat the butter in cooker and add some cumin seeds. When cumin seeds start to crackle then add boneless chicken, salt and chopped ginger. Pressure cook for 12 minutes
Open the cooker and release the steam. Drain the excess liquid if having it with bread. If having it with rice then liquid serves like gravy so you can keep it
Now generously add Lemon Juice and let the chicken simmer for 2- min.
Lightly toast the sourdough bread slices on pan or in toaster
Place chicken on the bread slices and sprinkle some grated cheese
Garnish with some parsley
Cheesy Creamy Chicken
This recipe came from my son’s social media recommendations and we decided to try it together. It turned out to be so delicious that it instantly became the family’s favourite. Now this dish we bring out on special occasions though it is wonderfully simple enough.
Instructions
Take boneless chicken in bowl. Add yogurt generously. Mix it well.
Then add some cooking cream and mayonnaise
Add salt followed by some Indian spices – coriander powder, cumin powder, black pepper
Add chopped coriander, mint leaves and some lemon juice
Now mix everything well.
Heat some butter in pan and add the chicken mixture. Let it cook for some time.
Add some chopped big green chillies (don’t worry they are not that spicy)
Garnish with grated cheese.
You can enjoy this creamy cheesy chicken with Indian Paranthas – it goes really well with them
It can be tricky to figure out what children will truly enjoy, but when you invite them into the cooking journey, something exquisite happens. Not only do they eat with more enthusiasm, but they also begin to appreciate healthy ingredients and develop nourishing habits that last a lifetime.
I eventually realised that it is not necessary that we slog full day in kitchen and stress out to make wonderful dishes, rather sometimes experimenting with simple ingredients with affection can bring charm and life to the food we serve. After all, children need happy, smiling mothers far more than they need fancy meals.
We will continue this journey of sharing quick recipes. Do share with us if you have recipes which are quick and fulfilling.
