November 01, 2024
Hello Foodie Friends
Succulent chicken in a fresh and zesty sauce with a hint of sweetness. This honey lemon chicken comes together in around 20 minutes. What to serve it with? Either nice and fluffy white rice or any pasta sprinkled with a little fresh parsley is all you need. I suggest fresh lemons but in a pinch and you're out you've got permission to go for bottled. It won't have the same fresh punch of lemon but a girls gotta do what a girls gotta do sometimes and it's ok.
This sounds like it will be either super sweeet or lip puckering but the combo balances the ingredients just out perfectly together for a lip-smacking taste.
Enjoy!
Marzee
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LEMONY HONEY PAN FRIED CHICKEN
2 large chicken breasts, sliced in half lengthwise for 4 thin pieces
3 tbsp plain (all-purpose) flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic minced
1/2 cup chicken stock
4 tbsp fresh lemon juice (juice from approx. 1.5 lemons)
3 tbsp honey
1 lemon sliced into half-moon slices
1 tbsp freshly chopped parsley
DIRECTIONS:
Place the chicken breasts on a tray or board. Mix together the flour, salt, pepper, and paprika. Coat both sides of the chicken with the flour mixture. Heat the oil and butter in a large frying pan over a medium-high heat, until the butter melts. Add the chicken to the pan and cook for 7-8 minutes, turning once, until both sides are golden brown. Add the garlic, stir for 30 seconds, careful not to burn the garlic. Add the chicken stock, lemon juice, honey, and lemon slices. Bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes, until the sauce is slightly reduced. Sprinkle with fresh parsley and serve with rice or pasta.
MARZEE's CORNER
When comparing real lemons to bottled lemon juice, there are several differences in taste, nutrition, and potential applications to consider:
1. Taste and Freshness
Real Lemons: Freshly squeezed lemon juice offers a bright, tangy flavor that is generally more vibrant and complex than bottled juice. The aroma and slight sweetness of fresh lemons can add depth to recipes.
Bottled Lemon Juice: This tends to have a less nuanced, more acidic taste, which some people find harsh. Bottled lemon juice often includes preservatives, which can alter its taste and make it less fresh.
2. Nutritional Value
Real Lemons: Fresh lemon juice is a good source of vitamin C and other antioxidants, which can degrade quickly in bottled juice. Lemons also contain some fiber, mainly in the form of pectin, which is found in the pulp and rind.
Bottled Lemon Juice: While it can still contain some vitamin C, the pasteurization process and storage time often reduce the nutritional value. Bottled versions also may include additives like preservatives (e.g., sodium benzoate) or stabilizers.
3. Convenience
Real Lemons: Fresh lemons require squeezing, which takes time and can be a bit messy, but they are versatile for other uses, like zesting.
Bottled Lemon Juice: Bottled juice is convenient for quick cooking, as it doesn't require any prep, making it an easy alternative for recipes that need just a splash of lemon.
4. Usage in Recipes
Real Lemons: Fresh juice is ideal for dishes where the lemon flavor is a star, such as dressings, marinades, or desserts, where freshness and flavor intensity are critical.
Bottled Lemon Juice: It can work in cooked dishes, where the flavor difference may be less noticeable, or in cases where a small amount is needed. However, it may not shine in dishes where a strong lemon flavor is essential.
In general, if freshness and flavor are priorities, real lemons are preferable. Bottled lemon juice, however, can be a handy backup for cooking or when convenience is the main concern.