Flexible 4-Step Chicken for Family and Company - Rustic Lemon-Onion Chicken

Recipe courtesy Melissa d'Arabian

Show: The Next Food Network StarEpisode: FN Star - Finale

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (363)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(363)

Cook Time:
30 min
Level:
Easy
Yield:
4 to 6 servings

Times:

Prep: 30 min
Inactive Prep: --
Cook: 30 min
Total:: 1 hr 0 min

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Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, sliced in half crossways (butterflied, cut all the way through)
1 teaspoon dried thyme, plus 1 small bunch fresh thyme, leaves chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup white wine, optional
1 cup chicken broth
3 lemons, juiced
1 to 2 tablespoons butter
Spinach "bed", recipe follows

Directions

Season chicken with dried thyme and salt and pepper. Heat a large saute pan over medium heat and add the oil. Dredge the chicken in flour, add to the hot oil and saute until cooked through. Set chicken aside to rest on plate tented with foil.

In same saute pan, over low heat, add onions and fresh thyme and cook until aromatic.

In a measuring cup, measure out wine, if using, and broth, and add the lemon juice. Turn the heat up to high, and deglaze the pan with the broth mixture until starting to reduce.

Remove the pan from the heat and finish the sauce by whisking in butter. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Place a bed of cooked spinach on a serving platter, top with the chicken. Spoon the sauce over the chicken and serve.

Spinach "bed":

1 bag pre-washed fresh spinach
3 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon butter
1 lemon, juiced
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Microwave spinach in a microwave-proof dish with a few tablespoons of water on high for 5 to 6 minutes, or until hot. Drain, and toss with butter, lemon juice, and salt and pepper, to taste.

The Food Network Kitchens chefs have not tested this recipe and therefore, we cannot make representation as to the results.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Flexible 4-Step Chicken for Family and Company - Rustic Lemon-Onion Chicken
Kingsley West Sacramento, CA 02-03-2010
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Watch the lemons
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

Maybe it's because I'm here in California with kick-butt produce, but I found three lemons are two too many. Screwed up the... first batch, but the second was much better. Thanks Melissa!Read more
recipe Flexible 4-Step Chicken for Family and Company - Rustic Lemon-Onion Chicken
Rose Sacramento, CA 02-02-2010
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Another great recipe!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My family devoured this recipe and it was quick and easy to make! Another winner, thanks Melissa!
recipe Flexible 4-Step Chicken for Family and Company - Rustic Lemon-Onion Chicken
Mary ann Klamath Falls, OR 01-28-2010
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Flexible 4 step chicken
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

When my husband tasted this "new" recipe, he said that I must keep this one". He just loved the lemony flavor and it was... easy to make. With spinach as a favorite veggie, it is the perfect bed on which to rest the chicken. This is the perfect combination for husband to eat. We make it often, using the flexible aspect to include capers.Read more
recipe Flexible 4-Step Chicken for Family and Company - Rustic Lemon-Onion Chicken
Megan Roswell, GA 01-27-2010
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College student friendly
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

As always, Melissa provides a recipe that is not only easy but also delicious! I am a college student so I often can't spring... for expensive tools or special ingredients used by other chefs, but with Melissa's recipes, I can always deliver a delicious dinner that doesn't cost too much, but then again isn't ramen noodles. I love her asparagus, broccoli, and lemony shrimp recipes as well. Here, I reduced the lemon by half as I saw others suggest and kept everything else the same and it was great!Read more
recipe Flexible 4-Step Chicken for Family and Company - Rustic Lemon-Onion Chicken
Debbie Huntsville, AL 01-26-2010
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Our new favorite!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Our new favorite stand by! Seems like I spent hours on it and yet it is so easy! I use lemon juice but use the equivalent to... the full 3 lemons. We love the lemon flavor. I have been out of thyme so have been using Italian seasoning and it seems to be just as good. Had never thought to try it with orange or another meat but after reading the reviews, I am looking forward to that. My son does not like onions, so he can just eats the chicken and it is nicely seasoned. Read more
recipe Flexible 4-Step Chicken for Family and Company - Rustic Lemon-Onion Chicken
Princess Portland, OR 01-24-2010
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Great, great, great dish!!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

My family loves this dish. It is now apart of our dinner menu! Thanks Melissa!!! :)