7 chicken recipes to enjoy with your family

by Kwanele Mathebula
chicken

Chicken will always be a family favourite. Our food editor, Ntwenhle Gcabashe shows you seven different ways to feast on it with your loved ones.

1. Tropical Chicken

Prep time: 45 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Serves: 3

  • 6 x boneless, skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tablespoons paprika
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) oil
  • Handful fresh coriander, chopped
  • Salt and pepper

Salad

  • 1 medium pawpaw, chopped
  • 1 red onion, chopped
  • 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) oil
  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) white vinegar
  • Salt and pepper
  • Lime wedges, for serving
  • Fresh coriander leaves, for serving
  1. In a bowl, mix paprika, garlic, oil and coriander. Season with salt and pepper. Add chicken breasts and marinate for 40–45 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, mix pawpaw, onion, pomegranate seeds, oil and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat griddle pan and fry chicken for 5 minutes on each side or until well done.
  4. Serve with salad, lime wedges and coriander leaves.

2. Orange Chicken

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 60 minutes

Serves: 4

  • 4 chicken quarters
  • 1 orange, cut into wedges
  • ½ cup (125ml) orange juice
  • 1 cup (250ml) stock
  • 1 cup (250ml) water
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • Handful fresh rosemary
  • Salt and pepper
  • Fresh basil leaves, for serving
  1. Preheat oven to 180˚C.
  2. Place chicken in an oven dish and add the other ingredients. Bake for 50–60 minutes or until meat is tender.
  3. Sprinkle with basil leaves and serve.

SEE ALSO: Chicken Burger

3. Mediterranean Style Chicken

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cooking 45 minutes

Serves: 4

  • 8 boneless chicken thighs
  • 1 cup black olives
  • 1 red onion, sliced
  • 1 red pepper, sliced
  • 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
  • ½ cup (125ml) white wine
  • 2 cups (500ml) chicken stock
  • Handful fresh coriander, for serving
  1. Preheat oven to 200˚C.
  2. In an oven dish, arrange chicken. Add the rest of the ingredients and bake for 40–45 minutes or until meat is tender.
  3. Sprinkle with coriander leaves and serve.

4. Chilli Chicken Burgers

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Serves: 4

  • 4 chicken breasts, deboned
  • 1 red chilli, finely chopped
  • Handful fresh coriander, finely chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 4 tablespoons (60ml) oil
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon (15ml) lemon zest
  • Salt and pepper
  • Crispy bacon, for serving
  • Red onion slices, for serving
  • Fresh parsley, for serving
  • Chilli sauce, for serving
  1. In a bowl, mix chicken, red chilli, coriander, garlic and cumin.
  2. In a jug, whisk oil, lemon juice and zest. Season with salt and pepper. Pour over chicken mixture and place into refrigerator for 25–30 minutes.
  3. Heat griddle pan; fry for 12– 15 minutes each side.
  4. Serve with bacon, onion slices, parsley and chilli sauce.

WATCH: Chicken Salad + Dressing

5. Mint Chicken

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Serves: 2

  • 4 deboned chicken breasts, cut into strips
  • Handful fresh mint, finely chopped
  • 4 tablespoons (60ml) oil
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon lime zest
  • 1 tablespoon dried chilli
  • Salt and pepper
  • Tomato salsa, for serving
  • Chilli sauce, for serving
  • Coriander leaves, for serving
  1. In a bowl, mix chicken, mint oil, lime juice, zest and chilli. Season with salt and pepper.
  2. Thread chicken onto skewers.
  3. Heat griddle pan, and grill the chicken for 5–8 minutes or until meat cooked through.
  4. Serve with tomato salsa, chilli sauce and coriander leaves.

6. Crunchy Chicken

Prep time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 10 minutes

Serves: 4

  • 4 boneless chicken breasts
  • 1 cup breadcrumbs
  • ½ cup Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons dried mixed herbs
  • 1 cup (250ml) buttermilk
  • 3 tablespoons (45ml) oil
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and pepper
  • Oil for frying
  • Lemon slices, for serving
  1. Wrap chicken breasts with cling wrap and flatten with a rolling pin.
  2. Mix breadcrumbs, cheese, cayenne pepper and herbs in a bowl.
  3. In a separate bowl, mix buttermilk, oil and garlic. Season with salt and pepper. Place chicken in the marinade for 30–45 minutes.
  4. Heat oil in a frying pan. Coat chicken with breadcrumbs mixture and fry chicken for 5 minutes on each side.
  5. .Serve with lemon slices.

WATCH: Roasted Chicken and Veggies recipe

7. Chicken Strips

Prep time: 20 minutes

Cooking time: 15 minutes

Serves: 2

  • 3 cups chicken strips
  • ½ cup (125ml) Amasi
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon paprika
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons (30ml) oil
  • 2 cups Doritos chips, crushed
  • Salt and pepper
  • Sweet chilli sauce, for serving
  1. Preheat oven to 200°C.
  2. In a bowl, mix Amasi, cumin, paprika, lemon juice and oil. Season with salt and pepper. Add chicken strips.
  3. Place the Doritos in a separate bowl. Remove chicken strips from Amasi mixture and coat with Doritos. Arrange strips onto a baking tray.
  4. Bake for 12–15 minutes or until cooked through.
  5. Serve with sweet chilli sauce.