Forget bland, boring chicken nights! This collection of Italian-inspired recipes will transform your mealtimes into flavor explosions. Each dish is simple to prepare yet delivers delicious results that will impress your family and friends.
But first, a secret: these recipes come straight from an Italian family, passed down through generations. So you know they’re authentic and packed with flavor.
Ready to embark on a culinary adventure? Buckle up, and choose your recipe!
Recipe 1: Creamy Chicken Casserole with Vegetables
This one-pan wonder is packed with tender chicken, melted cheese, and a creamy veggie sauce.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 1 kg chicken fillet, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 200g processed cheese
- 1 carrot, grated
- 200g grated cheese
- Bunch of spring onions and parsley, chopped
For the Sauce:
- 150-200g sour cream
- Vegetable oil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Grease a baking dish with oil.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Layer half of the chicken in the baking dish. Top with processed cheese, grated carrot, half of the grated cheese, and half of the spring onions and parsley.
- Repeat with remaining chicken, cheese, carrot, spring onions, and parsley.
- Pour sour cream evenly over the top.
- Bake for 30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot, garnished with remaining spring onions and parsley.
Recipe 2: Cheesy Baked Chicken with Creamy Tomato Sauce
This dish is bursting with juicy chicken, a flavorful tomato sauce, and a cheesy topping.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 2-3 chicken fillets, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Vegetable oil
For the Sauce:
- 3 eggs
- 100-120 ml cream (10-15%)
- Italian herbs, oregano, turmeric, and paprika to taste
- 30-50g Parmesan cheese
- 1 tomato, thinly sliced
For the Topping:
- Fresh parsley, chopped
- 2 tomatoes, chopped
- 2-3 boiled eggs, chopped
- 100-120g grated cheese
- Bunch of spring onions, chopped
- 150-180g canned corn, drained
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon sour cream or yogurt
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a baking dish with oil.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper. Arrange in the baking dish
- For the Sauce: In a bowl, whisk together eggs, cream, Italian herbs, spices, and Parmesan cheese. Pour over the chicken in the baking dish.
- For the Topping: Spread sliced tomato evenly over the chicken and sauce.
- Bake for 20-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and sauce is set.
- Remove from oven and top with chopped parsley, tomatoes, boiled eggs, grated cheese, spring onions, and drained corn.
- In a small bowl, mix together minced garlic, sour cream/yogurt, and mayonnaise. Spread this mixture evenly over the top of the casserole.
- Bake for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve hot, garnished with additional fresh herbs (optional).
Recipe 3: Crispy Herb-Roasted Chicken with Roasted Potatoes
This classic combo is elevated with a flavorful marinade and perfectly roasted potatoes.
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
- 8-10 chicken legs, skin, and lower bone removed
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
For the Potatoes:
- 6 potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges
- Vegetable oil
- Salt, pepper, and Provençal herbs
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- In a bowl, combine chicken, salt, pepper, garlic, soy sauce, and oil. Marinate for 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 180-190°C (350-375°F).
- Toss potatoes with oil, salt, pepper, herbs, and garlic. Spread on a baking sheet.
- Arrange chicken on a separate baking sheet.
- Roast potatoes for 30 minutes, then flip and continue roasting for another 15 minutes.
- After 20 minutes of roasting the potatoes, add the chicken to the oven. Brush chicken with a little butter and roast for an additional 20 minutes.
- Sprinkle potatoes with Parmesan cheese and roast for another 5 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve chicken and potatoes hot, garnished with fresh herbs (optional).
Tips
- For a crispier chicken topping in Recipe 1, broil for the last few minutes of cooking.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of herbs and spices to your taste.
- For a richer flavor in Recipe 2, use full-fat sour cream and cream cheese instead of the processed cheese.
- Leftovers from Recipe 3 can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
No matter which recipe you choose, you’re guaranteed a delicious and satisfying meal that will have your family and friends asking for seconds. So ditch the bland chicken dishes and embark on a flavor adventure with these Italian-inspired gems!
