Why does this taste like chicken?
6 Ideas to cook and use up left-over chicken
I betcha you’ve said the words “this tastes like chicken.” I know I have! We ordered the obligatory, novelty appetizer while on a family vacation in Florida – alligator tail. It tastes like tangy chicken. What does that mean, exactly? I don’t know how to describe it any better than that. We unanimously agreed that it tasted just like tangy chicken.
I thought maybe there’s something to the expression. A common genome in chicken DNA or universal flavour that connects with our taste buds. Not surprising, there is a Wikipedia entry and a Myth Busters episode about this universal experience. The verdict is that chicken is bland; much like my family’s experience with the alligator tail, “tangy chicken” is an analogy to something familiar.
6 Ways to cook chicken
Chicken doesn’t have to be boring. It is an excellent source of lean protein (without the skin) and a versatile base for myriad recipes. Chicken breasts are incredibly easy to cook.
Brush 2-4 chicken breasts with olive oil and bake at 375F for 40-45 minutes. We use a grill pan and line the drip tray in foil for fast, no-mess clean up. Easy!!
Here are some other tried and true methods to cook chicken (parts or whole):
- Poached on the stove top
- Boiled on the stove top
- BBQ (whole-verticle) on a stand in a BBQ
- Roast (whole-verticle) on a stand (with a drip pan) in the oven
- Roast (whole-horizontal) in the oven on a roasting pan
6 Ways to eat left-over chicken
There are so many delicious ways to eat chicken. Here are six recipe ideas that use cooked chicken. They are simple to assemble and very filling to eat. You can easily use up left over chicken to make lunch or dinner:
- Our go-to for lazy Sundays is to cube chicken breast and toss with a greek salad.
- This week, for my lunches I will puree cubed chicken breast with greek yogurt and spices into a creamy chicken salad. Loaded with veggies and diced avocado in a pita, it is very filling.
- A unique way to slip in extra protein on-the-go for breakfast is cooked chicken in savoury muffins (skip step 2). Broccoli, onion and chicken, topped with shredded old cheddar (1 Tbs per muffin) is a personal favourite.
- An easy to assemble Mexican casserole or layered burrito can be easily adapted for left overs. Substitute shredded or cubed chicken for the ground poultry (saute the vegetables only) and add in your favourite salsa. Substitute 1 Tbs of greek yogurt for sour cream to boost the nutrition.
- Mix cooked chicken with sauteed mushrooms and soup concentrate over quinoa or pasta for a meal that is fast and simple to prepare. It tastes delicious with a side of steamed asparagus.
Tell me how you use up left over chicken in the comments and share your favourite recipe online.
