Herbs And Spices To Compliment Chicken And Provolone

Chicken Provolone is a simple, tasty, and versatile dish that can be served in many ways and is a treat for all seasons. The chicken is usually seasoned with Italian herbs, garlic, paprika, or lemon and herbs. The chicken is cooked in an oven or skillet and then topped with provolone cheese. The dish can be served with buttered noodles, rice, or salad on the side.

Lemon and herb seasoning

Ingredients:

• 2 (5 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1 medium lemon, juiced, divided
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 pinch of dried oregano
• 2 sprigs fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish

Instructions:

• Place the chicken in a bowl and pour half of the lemon juice over it. Season the chicken with salt.
• Heat olive oil in a medium skillet over medium-low heat.
• Place the chicken into the hot oil and add the remaining lemon juice and oregano. Season with black pepper.
• Cook the chicken until it is golden brown and the juices run clear, which should take about 5 to 10 minutes per side. Make sure the internal temperature reaches at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Garnish the chicken with parsley before serving.

This recipe creates a delicious and simple lemon herb chicken dish that pairs well with provolone cheese. You can also get creative and experiment with different sides, such as a lemon tahini salad or mashed potatoes.

Feel free to adjust the amounts of herbs and spices to suit your taste preferences. You can also try adding other ingredients, such as garlic or additional herbs, to create a more complex flavour profile.

Cajun spice

Chicken with Cajun Spice and Provolone Cheese

Ingredients:

• Chicken breasts: Use boneless and skinless chicken breasts for this recipe. You can also use chicken thighs if you prefer dark meat.
• Cajun seasoning: You can make your own Cajun spice blend by combining smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne pepper, thyme, oregano, salt, and black pepper. Alternatively, you can use a store-bought Cajun seasoning blend, but be sure to taste it first and adjust the amount used according to your preference.
• Oil: Olive oil is recommended for cooking the chicken, as it complements the bold flavour of the Cajun seasoning. Other high smoke point oils such as avocado, safflower, or canola oil can also be used.
• Butter: Adding butter to the cooked chicken will enhance its flavour and keep it juicy. You can also use coconut oil or ghee as a substitute.
• Provolone cheese: This cheese will melt over the seasoned chicken, adding a creamy and salty element to the dish.
• Optional ingredients: You can also add sliced green onions as a garnish, or serve the chicken with sides such as mashed potatoes, cauliflower grits, or honey cornbread muffins.

Instructions:

• Prepare the chicken: Flatten the chicken breasts to an even thickness of about 3/4 inch. This will ensure even cooking.
• Make the Cajun seasoning: Combine the spices and herbs for the Cajun seasoning in a small bowl. You can adjust the amounts of each ingredient to suit your taste preferences.
• Season the chicken: Sprinkle the Cajun seasoning generously over both sides of the chicken breasts. Make sure the seasoning coats the meat evenly.
• Cook the chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil. Once the oil is hot, add the chicken breasts and cook until a deep golden brown crust forms, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
• Add butter and finish cooking: Add butter to the pan and baste the chicken with the melted butter. Continue cooking until the internal temperature of the chicken reaches 160-165°F (71-74°C). This should take about 5-8 minutes.
• Rest the chicken: Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean plate or cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing and serving. This allows the juices to redistribute, ensuring juicy and tender meat.
• Add provolone cheese: Place the sliced or shredded provolone cheese over the cooked chicken. The residual heat from the chicken will melt the cheese.
• Serve: Serve the chicken with melted provolone cheese. You can also add garnishes such as green onions or fresh herbs.

Tips:

• Adjust the spiciness: If you prefer a milder flavour, reduce the amount of cayenne pepper in the Cajun seasoning. You can also add red pepper flakes or hot sauce for a longer-lasting spicy kick.
• Store leftovers: The cooked chicken can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. You can also freeze the cooked and cooled chicken for up to 4 months.
• Reheat gently: When reheating leftovers, use a low heat setting and heat slowly to prevent the chicken from drying out.

Italian seasoning

Chicken with Italian Seasoning and Provolone Cheese

Chicken and provolone cheese is a simple yet impressive dish that can be adapted in many ways. Here is a recipe suggestion using Italian seasoning, which is a great match for provolone.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 8 slices provolone cheese
• 3/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• Salt and pepper, to season

Method

Preheat the oven to 375°F/190°C. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with non-stick cooking spray or grease with butter or oil. Place the chicken breasts in the dish.

In a small bowl, mix together the garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle this mixture over the chicken breasts. Top each breast with two slices of provolone cheese.

In a separate bowl, blend together the grated parmesan, mayonnaise, and sour cream. Spread this mixture over the provolone.

Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the chicken is cooked through and the cheese is golden and crispy. The chicken is cooked when it reaches an internal temperature of 165°F/75°C.

Tips and Variations

• You can add some fresh herbs like basil or parsley to garnish, and serve with buttered noodles on the side.
• For extra flavour, try coating the chicken in seasoned breadcrumbs before baking.
• If you like your food spicy, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or some red pepper flakes to the seasoning mix.
• You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as mozzarella or Swiss cheese.

Enjoy your delicious Italian-style chicken!

Basil as a garnish

Basil is a versatile herb that can be used in a variety of dishes, adding a burst of colour, flavour, and freshness to your meal. Here are some tips and tricks for using basil as a garnish, along with some specific ideas for pairing basil with chicken and provolone cheese.

The chiffonade technique of cutting basil is a simple way to create beautiful, curled strips of basil that make an attractive garnish. This technique is superior to regular chopping as it is faster, easier, and results in less bruising of the delicate basil leaves. Bruising can cause the basil to turn brown and lose its bright, appealing colour. The chiffonade technique also results in the perfect size of basil strips to carry the maximum flavour without overpowering the dish.

How to Chiffonade Basil

The process of cutting basil into a chiffonade is simple and can be done in seconds. First, stack the basil leaves on top of each other, with the largest leaves at the bottom and the smallest leaves on top. The leaves should be face-down, with the stems removed, and stacked so they curl upward. Then, roll the leaves tightly from one of the long ends. Using a sharp chef's knife, slice the roll of basil thinly, being careful of your hand and working slowly to ensure thin, even slices. Finally, separate the ribbons of basil, and they are ready to use as a garnish.

Using Fried Basil as a Garnish

For a unique twist, you can also fry basil to use as a garnish. To do this, clean and thoroughly dry the basil leaves. Heat a neutral-tasting oil with a high smoking point, such as grapeseed oil, in a small frying pan to between 275-300°F (135-150°C). Carefully lower the basil leaves into the oil using a slotted spoon and fry for about 5-10 seconds, or until they become evenly coloured. Transfer the fried basil to a plate lined with paper towels to drain, and then use as a garnish.

Chicken provolone is a simple yet impressive dish that can be elevated by the addition of basil as a garnish. The saltiness of the provolone cheese pairs well with the fresh flavour of basil. To serve, place the cooked chicken provolone on a dark plate and add a garnish of fresh basil for a pop of colour and a bright, refreshing taste. You could also try making a basil aioli to serve with the chicken provolone, combining the basil with garlic for a more intense flavour.

Prosciutto as a topping

Prosciutto is a delicious meat that can be used in a variety of ways to complement chicken and provolone cheese. Here are some ideas for using prosciutto as a topping:

Prosciutto-Wrapped Chicken Breasts

One option is to wrap chicken breasts in prosciutto and bake them in the oven. This method is simple and can be adapted to feed a crowd. You will need:

• Chicken breasts
• Provolone cheese
• Prosciutto

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and spray a baking sheet with cooking spray. Place the chicken breasts on the sheet and top each breast with a slice of provolone cheese. Wrap two slices of prosciutto around each breast. Bake until the cheese is melted, the prosciutto is crispy, and the chicken is cooked through. This should take around 18 minutes for thicker chicken breasts.

Prosciutto-Topped Chicken Breasts

Alternatively, you can prepare chicken breasts in a skillet and then top them with prosciutto before finishing them in the oven. For this method, you will need:

• Boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• Fresh basil leaves
• Prosciutto
• Provolone cheese

Sprinkle the chicken breasts with pepper and cook them in a skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat until a thermometer reads 165 degrees Fahrenheit, which should take about 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to an ungreased baking sheet and top with basil, prosciutto, and cheese. Broil about 6-8 inches from the heat until the cheese is melted, which should only take about 1-2 minutes.

Prosciutto and Cheese-Stuffed Chicken Breasts

For a more complex dish, you can stuff chicken breasts with prosciutto and cheese before coating them in breadcrumbs and pan-searing them. This method requires the following ingredients:

• Large chicken breasts
• Breadcrumbs
• Garlic salt
• Oregano
• Black pepper
• Burrata cheese
• Prosciutto
• Olive oil

First, pat the chicken breasts dry and use a sharp knife to make an incision in the side of each breast, creating a pocket. Crack an egg into a shallow bowl and whisk it, then combine the breadcrumbs, garlic salt, oregano, and black pepper in another shallow bowl. Dip each chicken breast into the egg mixture and then into the breadcrumb mixture. Stuff each breast with burrata cheese and prosciutto. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and add the chicken breasts in batches, searing them for 3-4 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken to a foil-lined baking sheet and bake at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 20-25 minutes or until the chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

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