Chicken Recipes

Lemon Chicken Recipes
By Amos Henry

Almost all cooks have a go to set of recipes in their repertoire that they return to over and over again. They are usually delicious, affordable and feature an ingredient list that is readily available at standard supermarkets. Main dishes that fit this criteria, such as lemon chicken recipes, are even more popular with modern cooks. However, using the same variation over and over again can make for boring mealtimes. The good news is that it is extremely easy to take the simple preparation of lemon chicken and dress it up to make new and interesting variations.


Bring on the Orient

There are plenty of ways to dress up chicken to make it have a Chinese flavor. Chinese dishes often feature the popular sweet and sour flavor combination. This is easily adapted to lemon chicken recipes. One option is to use chicken breasts and cut them into bite sized pieces. These can be breaded, if desired and baked or fried. Then, a simple sweet and sour sauce is made with lemons and brown sugar or honey. This can be served with a variety of sides or fillers, such as Chinese styles vegetables like broccoli or green onions. It's is also extremely delicious when served over rice.

Meld With Mediterranean Flavors

Another really nice variation to try is a bit of a Mediterranean flavor. Mint is widely used in this type of cuisine and pairs very nicely with chicken and lemon. To make a simple lemon mint chicken salad, first grill some chicken breasts. You will combine lemon juice and zest, chopped mint, olive oil and basic seasoning to make a delicious dressing. This is amazing served over baby greens and makes a lovely presentation for company or special occasions.

Everybody Loves Italian

The flavors that are traditionally associated with Italian food pair wonderfully with chicken. Lemon can easily be combined with garlic, basil, oregano and other herbs to make a very classic dish. Poultry is very common is Italian cuisine and is perfect for many variations. You are really only limited by your own creativity. Lemon and herbs can easily be added to flavor a distinctive marinara. Of course, no Italian dish is complete without pasta, so use that as your side for any Italian versions.


Appropriate Occasions to Serve


Unlike some other dishes, lemon chicken is suited to many different occasions. There is really no indication that any culture prefers this dish over another for any particular event. However, almost all traditions have some variation when it comes to a chicken dish that incorporates lemon. They may be listed under different names and include various added ingredients. However, you can learn to recognize a recipe as a variation with a bit of reading between the lines. Lemon chicken is ideal for almost any event where you need a dish that people are sure to appreciate. The dish is also great for when you want to display a nice presentation as a hostess.

Perfect a Few Favorites

Most cooks are able to prepare meals quicker and more affordable if they perfect a dozen or so recipes. With lemon chicken recipes, try a variety when you are beginning to play with the dish. You can then narrow down your family's favorites and perfect and adapt them to your particular tastes and style. You will also want to make sure that you are using ingredients that are easy to find. While it's one thing to search out a difficult ingredient for an extremely special event, it won't work well as use this option as a family favorite on a regular basis. Also, you may want to repeat the process every few months or so in order to maintain interest in the menu. Designate certain menu days to try out new recipes and find new favorites. This will ensure that you not only keep your menu interesting, but also that most of the meals you make are tried, true and easy to prepare.