Chicken in a bag

0
422

When we think ‘summer’ most of us think outdoors, grilling, swimming, the beach and backyard parties.  So…, I am hoping you enjoy the ease of the recipe I’m sharing this week.  Those on weight watchers have told me this is a one point meal.  Camping folks, scouts, busy families and the like will enjoy this easy to prepare dish.

 

Because I am an experienced chef some may think this is just too easy peezy to present.  Nope, I’m just like everyone else.  I come home from work tired after I’ve worked an 11-12 hour day.  Yet I need a healthy meal for my family.  I also think it’s often difficult for folks to figure out what ‘pre-made’ sauces and spices work the best.

 

The ingredients in the dish and any leftovers can also be used in making kabobs.  So should you be camping the sauces and spices will be interchangeable.  If you’re against the use of aluminum foil you could try this in a parchment pouch, in the oven.  Make sure the pan has sides in case it doesn’t hold up.  Also if using aluminum foil is an issue simply prepare it in a covered baking dish.

 

You can cook the pouch dinner over a campfire grate, a Coleman cook stove, or a regular oven.    And, as always, change out the meat to ham or pork loin.  Just remember, should you add rice, it needs to be instant.

 

Regarding the PF Chang sauce, this can totally go a different direction.  Use the drained pineapple juice and make a homemade sweet and sour sauce.  If you’re watching sugar and sodium, however; proceed with caution.  Most sweet and sours will need a bit of modification because they will have additional sugars and sodium.  On the ‘Head Country’ bbq spice, this is just the best bbq flavor that I’ve ever found.  My assistant, Bonnie, who’s from Texas, introduced me to Head Country for rubs and grilling and it’s delicious.  Some in Northern Missouri may have a hard time locating the spice.  The seasoning is actually from Oklahoma.  So what do you do instead?  Use a bbq spice or rub that you find in your region to replace the Head Country.  Be liberal shaking the bbq seasoning on, don’t do a light covering.   If you make your own sweet and sour remember Heinz has sugar free ketchup that’s received some high flavor ratings.  Instead of soy sauce try using coconut amino acids to save on sodium.

 

You can find the coconut amino acids at Walmart and many other large grocery chains.  Why coconut aminos?  They contain 75% less salt than soy sauces!  Many have told me it tastes a little different.  I’m about to find out as I am switching my household to this product.  Coconut aminos are free of gluten and soy allergens.

Keep in mind Worcestershire and teriyaki sauces are all based upon soy sauce.

 

On a bit of a negative note, it’s time to talk about groceries for a moment.  The flooding we have experienced, in this nation, will effect each and every one of us in the next months.   When you find a good sale stock up for the home larder.

Many factories were under water so you may experience the inability to find a few of your favorite items already.

 

Enjoy the wonderful flavor and ease of this pouch dinner.  My family loved it and Ervin, my husband, took it in his lunch the next day and thought it was better the second day.  Enjoy my friends.  Simply yours, The Covered Dish.  www.thecovereddish.com.

 

Chicken in a Bag

(For grill, campfire or oven.)

 

18-20 inches heavy duty aluminum foil

Vegetable spray

1 large chicken breast or 3 strips

Head County BBQ seasoning*

1/4 cup sliced green pepper

1/4 cup sliced red pepper

1/4 cup sliced sweet white onion or red onion

6-8 chunks pineapple in natural juices

2-3 tablespoons Teriyaki sauce**

 

Preheat home oven to 350 degrees, start the grill or campfire.  Spray center of foil with vegetable spray.  Lay in chicken breast and sprinkle generously with bbq seasoning.  Layer peppers, onion and pineapple over the chicken.   Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of Teriyaki sauce over all ingredients.  Seal pouch and prepare to cook.  In a home oven a single bag is done in approximately 20-25 minutes.  The recipe could also be presented with 2-3 tablespoons of instant rice under the chicken.  If you use this approach be sure and use 3 full tablespoons of the sauce.

 

Another alternative method is to prepare an entire 9 x 13 baking dish with the recipes.  The baking time would range depending upon many factors.  If you do a full 9 x 13 pan start monitoring at 40 minutes.  This would probably be for 6-8 chicken breasts.

 

*For test purposes Head Country Seasoning was implemented.

**For test purposes P.F. Changs Teriyaki sauce was used.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here