8.26.2012

Super Simple Shredded Chicken

Chicken is, by far, a regular for me when it comes to getting in some protein. It can get a bit boring, though, yes? At times I can be lazydo a quick and dirty salt, pepper, grill action and be done with it. I can cut it up for a salad in a flash and I'm usually good to go.

Recently I've been craving a little variety and I'm pretty certain I've found what my mouth's been searching for. Instead of the grill I've opted for the oven. And though I've always thought baked chicken is nothing to twirl around in the kitchen about, baking then shredding it up, and tossing in a bit of spice for kick can yield something different that can be used in multiple ways.

When it comes to spices, my current favorites are garlic sea salt, ground chipotle pepper, and curry. Of course you can use whichever spice is your go-to in you repertoire, but below is a basic recipe to get you going. I'm loving using this shredded chicken a few ways:
  • For homemade shredded chicken tacos with corn tortillas, avocado, and pico de gallo
  • A south-of-the-border-style Benedict: corn tortilla, shredded chicken, sliced avocado or a dollop of guac, sliced roasted bell peppers, hot sauce, and a poached egg
  • Tossed in a salad, or served along skinned and chopped cucumber for a light and refreshing dinner (which I did tonight)
Whichever you decide, I hope this gives you a little variety in your standard weeknight chicken dinners. Enjoy, and be sure to let me know how you're savoring yours. 

Simple Shredded Chicken

Ingredients:
4-5 ea. thinly sliced chicken breasts
1 teaspoon ground chipotle peppers
1 teaspoon ground curry
1/2 teaspoon garlic sea salt
Olive oil spray

Prepare:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Lay chicken breasts on plate and coat each on each side with the spices as desired.


Either line a baking sheet with foil, or spray lightly with the olive oil spray. Place the chicken on the baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes (This is for "thinly sliced" chicken breasts. For whole chicken breasts, 22 minutes should do).
 
When the chicken is finished baking, remove from the oven and let it cool slightly. With two forks, or a fork and your clean hands, shred the chicken lengthwise. Place in a bowl, and if you want to spice up the insides of the breasts, add more spice to the shredded pieces as desired.




Really...how simple is that? Enjoy.

Cheers,
~JF




Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...