Hi Reader,

On some special nights, The One and I play a game called “What Do You Want for Dinner?” It’s a full-contact sport.
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He’ll say, “I don’t know—something light.” Then immediately follow it with, “But not salad.” I’ll counter with, “How about chicken?” and he’ll wince like I’ve suggested boiled shoe leather. Twenty minutes later, I’m halfway through a mental Rolodex of recipes, he’s scrolling takeout menus, and the cat has judged us both.
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But somehow, chicken saves the day. Every. Single. Time.
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Chicken is the Switzerland of proteins—neutral, accommodating, universally acceptable. It’s the blank canvas that tolerates your need to experiment with citrus glazes and his insistence on “just salt and pepper.” It can be cozy and comforting or crisp and showy.
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And best of all? It brings peace to the dinner table faster than you can say, “Fine, I’ll make pasta.”

Chicken Dinner Commandments

• Respect the bird. Dry chicken isn’t dinner—it’s punishment. Always pat it dry, season generously, and give it space in the pan to breathe.
• Roast > panic. When in doubt, throw it in the oven. High heat, a bit of olive oil, and faith—it’s nearly impossible to mess up.
• Brine is not optional. A quick soak in salt water (even 30 minutes) makes you look like you know what you’re doing.
• Use the juices. Those pan drippings? Liquid gold. Whisk in a squeeze of lemon or a splash of wine and call it a sauce.
• Change the scenery. Same chicken, different vibe. One night it’s Portuguese frango assado, the next it’s chicken schnitzel. The bird’s versatile. You should be, too.

WHAT'S INSIDE...

• ​Coq Au Vin​
• ​Pan-Fried Chicken Tenders​
• ​Ina Garten's Lemon Chicken​
• ​Creamy French Chicken Stew​
• ​Star Anise & Ginger Braised Chicken​
• ​French Onion-Skillet Chicken​
• ​Pan Seared Chicken Breast​
• ​Lemon Ginger Chicken​
• ​Chicken With 40 Cloves Of Garlic​

​Coq Au Vin​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.74 from 67 votes

This coq au vin strays a little from the original but I don't think that's to its detriment. This updated version of the simple French chicken stew uses a robust brown chicken stock, mushrooms, onions, bacon, and red wine.

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​Pan-Fried Chicken Tenders​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.88 from 16 votes

Pan-fried chicken tenders are an easy and tasty way to get dinner on the table in a hurry. Covered in a crisp batter, the toothsome filets of white meat beg to be dipped and devoured.

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​Ina Garten's Lemon Chicken​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.84 from 25 votes

Ina Garten's lemon chicken is "the best roast chicken I've ever made." That's what we hear time after time from everyone we know who makes this roast chicken from the Barefoot Contessa. Tasting is believing.

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​Creamy French Chicken Stew​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.78 from 36 votes

This version of blanquette is slightly simplified in that it doesn’t involve making a roux but it’s no less flavourful. Serve this with plain boiled rice and garnish with fresh thyme leaves and parsley for a simple, comforting meal that comes together quickly, even on a weeknight.

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​Star Anise & Ginger Braised Chicken​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4.93 from 14 votes

This star anise and ginger braised chicken with soy sauce is a healthy meal that will fill your kitchen with exotic aromas and can be made in a single pot on the stove-top or in the slow cooker.

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​French Onion-Skillet Chicken​

Take the elements of French onion soup--beef broth, a hunk of bread, tons of caramelized onions, and a raft of cheese--and mash it up with perfectly seared chicken thighs, and you have French onion-skillet chicken. Sounds weird, I know, but I swear it works.

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​Pan Seared Chicken Breast​

This pan seared chicken breast from Cook's Illustrated calls for just four ingredients—chicken, olive oil, salt, and pepper—but boasts shatteringly crisp skin, tender meat, and a stovetop that isn't spattered with grease. This is going to change your weeknight chicken game.

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​Lemon Ginger Chicken​

Sultry ginger, tangy lemon, hot chiles and sticky honey are a great combo and you should have a supply of them in the kitchen to turn simple chicken into something rather special for those lazy, cozy evenings.

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​Chicken With 40 Cloves Of Garlic​

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 from 10 votes

Chicken with 40 cloves of garlic ensures the meat remains juicy by using chicken thighs. And our trick for quickly peeling garlic makes it hassle-free. A recipe classic because it's so damn good. Even kids love it!

​☞ ​Try this recipe​