My Best Holiday Turkey

Ok guys am going to toot my own horn,  seriously this is My best Holiday Turkey Recipe It is so good and easy you’ll be making it more than just for  the Holidays. 

I’ve make a lot of turkeys through out the years. I’ve tried a few recipes and methods, from brining to cooking it up side down

to basting every 30 minutes and I have to say this recipe is the best.

The turkey is melt in your mouth moist with a hint of fresh citrus taste. I couldn’t believe how crispy and beautifully colored the skin was.

My husband who normally isn’t as impressed by food as am, couldn’t stop raving about how good the turkey was. It was so good that even after three  days of turkey everything I was still craving more.

3 Tips when making My Best Holiday Turkey

First, when you make My Best holiday Turkey use a the right roasting pan with a lid it’s important to keep the turkey covered until the last 30 minutes to prevent drying the meat.

Second, oven temperatures vary and can effect cooking times if in doubt use a meat thermometer. A turkey is safe to eat when the internal temperature is 165 degrees. 

Third, this temperature guide is for an unstuffed turkey, stuffed turkeys are cooked longer at 15 minutes per pound.

I always bake my stuffing in casserole dish along side the turkey, it’s easier for serving and just as delicious. One more thing no need

for basting in this recipe, the  turkey self bastes from the citrus and butter. 

I hope you try My best holiday Turkey recipe and it becomes your Best Holiday Turkey. And when it does be sure to tell me about it, I love   hearing from you.

Ingredients

• 15 lb. turkey
• 1 stick butter
• 1 tablespoon each chopped together Italian parsley, thyme, sage and rosemary
• 3 Tablespoons chopped garlic
• 1 onion cut into quarters
• 2 lemons sliced medium thick
• 2 oranges sliced
• 2 apples quartered
• 2 stalks celery
• Salt and pepper

Instructions

1. If using a frozen turkey defrost in the refrigerator 2 to 3 days before cooking
2. Preheat oven to 425
3. Bring Turkey to room temperature
4. Remove the insides from the cavity and neck
5. Mix the herbs and garlic in the soft butter until well incorporated
6. Pat the turkey dry rub the whole turkey even under the skin with the butter mixture
7. Salt ant pepper the outside and cavity of the turkey
8. Stuff the cavity with the cut onion, apples, lemons and oranges
9. Stick some lemon and orange slices under the skin
10. Tie the legs together with kitchen twine or skewers tuck the wing tips under the turkey
11. Roast in 425 oven covered for 30 minutes
12. Lower the heat to 375 and roast 10 minutes per lb. longer for a 15 lb. turkey that’s about 3 hours remove the cover the last 30 minutes
13. Let the turkey rest 20 to 30 minutes before slicing strain the drippings into a medium pan:
14. For the gravy simmer  the dripping over low heat mix 1/4 cup flour with 1/2 cup water slowly pour into simmering drippings stirring continuously

Italian crusted Lemon chicken

Who doesn’t love an Italian flavored lemon chicken ?

This Italian crusted lemon chicken has the trifecta  to make it one of my favorite  chicken breast recipes, It’s easy, delicious and quick.  And the best part ? it can be make ahead of time and fried when your ready to serve it, making it a prefect weeknight meal. And if your looking to impressive family and friends on what a great chef you are make this Italian crusted lemon chicken.

Tips for success when you make this Italian crusted lemon chicken

The first tip  when you make this Italian crusted lemon chicken use a canola and extra virgin olive oil blend.

I find this oil blend best for the flavor the olive oil gives and the high burn temperature of the canola oil.

Second the oil has to be at the right temperature to produce a crispy crust and still be juicy on the inside.

Third I add flour to the bread crumbs instead of a separate flour dip for the chicken. One more tip after breading let your chicken rest in the refrigerator to chill, it helps the bread coating to stick to the chicken, bring to room temperature before frying.

Ingredients

• 4 chicken breast
• 2 cups Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 1/3 cup flour
• 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 2 Tbls. chopped Italian parsley
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup e canola
• 1/2 cup olive oil
•  2 Tbls. butter
• 1 Tbls. minced garlic
• 1 cup white wine or chicken stock
• 1 cup heavy cream
• lemon juice and zest from 1 lemon
• Dijon mustard
• capers

Instructions

1. Pound the chicken breast thin in between 2 pieces of wax paper. Then salt and pepper
2. Mix together the bread crumbs, flour,  grated parmesan and the Italian parsley
3. Beat the eggs slightly
4. Dip the chicken breast first in the egg then in the bread crumb mixture.
5. Heat  together 1/2 cup canola and 1/2 cup olive oil to medium high.
6. Fry the chicken until golden brown on both sides about five minutes pre side. Remove and set aside.
7. Remove the oil in the same pan add the butter and garlic saute until the garlic is fragrant and just beginning to  brown.
8. Deglaze the pan with the white wine or chicken stock and lemon juice
9. Add the cream and mustard simmer until sauce thickens about ten minutes
10.  Pour the sauce over the chicken breast top with Italian parsley the and lemon slices. ENJOY!!!

Peperonata Sauced Chicken Breast

Not only is this peperonate sauced chicken breast recipe delicious it’s easy to make. I used skinless boneless chicken breast. You can use whatever part of the chicken fits your lifestyle and taste.

By using boneless, skinless chicken breast and my premade marinara sauce which I always have on hand, this Italian chicken recipe can be on your table in less than 30 minutes.

Customize this Peperonata sauced chicken breast recipe

This peperonate sauced chicken breast recipe isn’t set in stone. You can customize this chicken recipe really easy.

For instance most of you know I don’t drink alcohol. Although am okay cooking with alcohol some people are not. So there is an option in most of my recipes to use wine or stock.

Another way to make this Italian flavored chicken recipe your own is to use boneless chicken thighs.

One more thing, if you want to make this peperonata sauced chicken breast a complete meal cook your favorite shaped pasta and toss in the peperonata sauce. If your going to use this Italian bell pepper sauce for a pasta sauce double all the ingredients except for the chicken breast. Also be sure your saute pa is big enough and deep enough. Here is a link to one of my favorite deep saute pan.

Lastly please leave me a comment if you make this. I love hearing from you. It’s my favorite part!!!

Ingredients

• 4 Chicken breast
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 1 chopped yellow onion
• 1 Tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 diced red bell pepper
• 1 diced green bell pepper
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup white wine or chicken stock
• 2 cups marinara sauce
• 1 Tablespoon Italian parsley
• 1 tablespoon mixed Italian herbs
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. cut the chicken breast in half if thick
2. Salt and pepper the chicken
3. In 2 tablespoons of olive oil saute the chicken until brown on both sides
4. Add the onions, garlic and cherry tomatoes saute until just beginning to brown
5. Add the bell peppers saute 5 minutes
6. Deglaze the pan with 1 cup of chicken stock or white wine simmer until absorbed
7. Add the marinara sauce simmer 15 minutes longer
8. Plate the chicken pour the peperonata sauce over the top. ENJOY!!!

Chicken Piccata Pasta Primavera

A light pasta meal, this chicken piccata pasta primavera is a prefect Summertime quick family dinner full of classic Italian flavors!!!

Full of lemony freshness this chicken and pasta dish comes together in less than 30 minutes, and  your family is going to love it . And you will feel good  serving a restaurant quality meal from your kitchen, that’s not only delicious, it’s healthy too!!!!

Customize this Chicken piccata pasta primavera

This chicken piccata pasta primavera recipe is easy to customize to fit your lifestyle and taste.

The first and easier way to make this pasta dish your own is to change the pasta shape.  The truth is most pasta shapes work well in most pasta dish recipes.

Second if your family hates or loves spinach add more or less to taste. I love spinach and add extra most of the time.  Spinach is one of those vegetables that ends up being half of the amount you put in after it’s cooked. Pasta dishes are also a good place to hide spinach for those that don’t have the same fondness for spinach as I do.

Lastly I used chicken stock. You can use white wine instead in his chicken piccata pasta primavera if that’s your preference.

One more thing when making pan sauces the right size saute pan help. My favorite and on sale https://amzn.to/39XdMRy

Ingredients

• 2 skinless, boneless chicken breast cut into strips
• 1/2 Lb. Fettuccini
• 1 Tbls each butter and extra virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbls. minced garlic
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes
• 2 cups chopped spinach
• 1/2 cup capers
• 1/3 cup lemon juice
• 1 cup pasta water
• 1 cup chicken stock or white wine

Instructions

1. Cook pasta according to package direction reserving 1 cup of the water before draining
2. Salt and pepper the chicken
3.  In a medium size saute pan over medium high heat in the butter and olive oil, saute the chicken along with the garlic until slightly brown
4. Add the tomatoes along with the capers saute for a few minutes
5. Deglaze the pan with the broth or white wine
6. Add reserved pasta water, simmer until sauce thickens about 10 minutes, add spinach and 1/2 the parmesan cheese last 5 minutes
7. Toss pasta in picatta sauce sprinkle with additional parmesan and Italian parsley
8. Enjoy!!!!!

 Buffalo Air Fried  Wings

This Buffalo air fried  wing recipe is prefect when your craving chicken wings but want healthy too!!

We’ve been on a chicken wing kick lately. It all started on my wedding anniversary.  When our conversion turned  to the first night we met at the Anchor Bar in Buffalo  New York , where the famous Buffalo chicken wing originated.

And in our first hole in the wall eatery the lines were out the door for  the copycat version of the original Anchor Bar chicken wing.

No wonder Buffalo chicken wings have a special place  in my heart and kitchen. It’s an extra bonus that  chicken wings are a family favorite.

Even with my love for the original deep fried Buffalo Chicken wings, my direction at this age is to take the classics and make them healthier if possible. This Buffalo chicken wing recipe was an easy one to make a little heathier  using my air fry

What I used for these Buffalo air fried wings

The original Anchor bar recipe for Buffalo chicken wings calls for deep frying the wings. You can use the deep frying method if it fits your lifestyle and taste. If your going the healthier route then air fried is the way to go.

The most important ingredient in the original Buffalo chicken wing recipe and in this air fried version is the Frank’s Hot sauce.

I used both sections of the  chicken wing cutting off the tip. Feel free to use the whole wing  without cutting them if that’s your preference.

Please watch the video and please don’t forget to leave  me a comment here and tag me on Instagram with your creations. I love hearing from you it’s my favorite part!!!

Ingredients

• 2 lbs. chicken wing sections
• 1 stick of butter
• 1/2 cup Franks hot sauce
• 2 Tbs. each ground garlic, onion powder, chili powder and Italian seasoning
• 2 Tbsp. baking powder
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Wash the chicken wings then pat dry let sit on a  cookie sheet in the refrigerator for at a least an hour.
2. Mix the dry ingredients together
3. Use half of the dry ingredients for the chicken wing dry rub add the baking powder to this half. Reserve  the remaining spices for the hot sauce
4. Cover the chicken wings and set in refrigerator again for at least an hour
5.  Set air fryer to 400 or oven temperature
6. Meanwhile melt the butter add  the hot sauce and remaining dry rub.
7. Air fry or bake the chicken wings for 15 minutes
8. Toss in Buffalo sauce while hot

Rotisserie Chicken Fettuccini Alfredo

This easy, creamy classic rotisserie chicken fettuccine alfredo meal comes together in less than 30 minutes.  It’s packed with melt in your mouth chicken and tossed in a creamy sauce, your whole family will love.

I like simple recipes, that come together in less than an hour, but from the looks of the meal we can tell our friends it took hours. And recipes  with few ingredients is always a winner. I added  spinach to add another depth of flavor and sneak in some green, you don’t have too.

It’s no wonder most Italian restaurants have fettuccini Alfredo on their menus, not only is it a dine out favorite. the alfredo sauce can seem dauting, It’s not!!!

Variations for rotisserie chicken fettuccini Alfredo

The first variation in this rotisserie chicken fettuccini alfredo is, you don’t have to use chicken. If you want to go the vegetarian route a mixture of your favorite mushrooms is a delicious choice, as well as broccoli.

You can use white wine in place of the chicken stock, because I don’t drink I give the non-alcoholic version.

I often use wine when cooking, Am okay with that, but for some who aren’t there are alternatives, use what feels and tastes good to you, it doesn’t change the flavor enough where people notice. No matter what you use be sure to use the freshest and best ingredients you can find. It takes the recipe from so-so to WOW!

Also be sure the saute pan you use is big enough  to hold the sauce it’s best to use a covered, deep, wide enough  saute pan.

Serve it up in pretty white dinner plates  add some festive napkins and you have a restaurant quality dinner, that comes together in 30 minutes, is quick and easy for family weekday dinners and just fancy enough for special occasions.

Serve this delicious restaurant inspired dinner with your favorite bubbly and a crisp green salad for a romantic Saturday night dinner or Holiday meals with family and friends…

Please don’t forget to leave me a comment when you make this recipe. And please don’t forget to tag me on Instagram with your creations. I love hearing from you, it’s my favorite part!!!

Ingredients

• 1 Lbs. Fettuccini
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 2 cups left over rotisserie chicken
• 1 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup chopped spinach
•  2 cups chicken stock or white wine
• 2 cups heavy cream
• 1 cups reserved pasta water
• 2 Tbs. chopped garlic
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 Tbs.  chopped Italian parsley
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. 1. Cook pasta according to package directions resevering1 cup of the water
   2. In a large saute pan bring the butter to medium high heat
   3.  Add onion and garlic saute until tender and just beginning to brown
   4. Add chicken stock,  cream,  and resevered pasta water simmer  covered  15 minutes
   5. Add the rotisserie chicken, Parmesan cheese and spinach, simmer 5 minutes longer
   6. Toss pasta in sauce adjust seasonings to taste.Top with  the chopped Italian parsley and additional parmesan cheese. ENJOY!!!!

Crispy Cheesy chicken parmesan

Make this crispy, cheesy chicken parmesan when your craving classic Italian, but need it to be simple and quick.

This is my go to recipe when I want a whole family pleasing meal, or I want to feed a crowd.. It’s prefect for those holiday get- togethers when you want a meal that you put in the oven, and forget about it.

Tips when making Crispy Cheesy Chicken Parmesan

The secret to this crispy cheesy parmesan chicken? I use equal parts of cheese and bread crumbs, to coat the chicken, before oven frying it.

When oven frying the important thing to keep in mind is, the oven and pan need to be smoking hot before you put the chicken in it.

If it’s not you’ll have more bread crumbs on the pan than on the chicken.

Another tip…if you refrigerate the chicken after breading, the bread crumbs stick to the chicken better.

This is a great family meal to serve any day of the week, but fancy enough for your next Saturday dinner party.

It’s delicious and looks pretty on any table, not to mention almost everyone loves Italian.  I like to use this  casserole dish to bake the chicken, and serve it in this uncovered  8 x 8   casserole dish .

This Crispy cheesy chicken parmesan dish will be your go-to-recipe when serving family and friends.

If you want  a complete meal, precook some penne or rigatoni pasta, toss it with the marinara, top it with chicken and bake, for a baked pasta meal.

You’ll want to make extra, this chicken parmesan dinner is great for next day reheats or freeze it for ready make meals.

Please leave me a comment and don’t forget to tag me on Instagram with your creations. I love hearing from you it’s my favorite part!!!!

Ingredients

• 1 pint marinara  sauce
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 4 skinless, boneless chicken breast
• 1 egg slightly beaten
• 1/4 cup milk
• 2 cups seasoned Italian bread crumbs
• 2 Tablespoon chopped Italian parsley
• 2 cups Parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Heat oil on a cookie sheet till smoking hot
3. Meanwhile mix egg with milk
4. Mix parmesan, Italian parsley and bread crumbs together
5. Salt and pepper the chicken
6. Dip first in egg then in bread crumb mixture
7. Fry chicken in oven till golden turning once to brown on both sides about 3 minutes per side
8. Remove chicken
9. Line bottom of casserole pan with marinara sauce
10. Place chicken on top
11. Cover with marinara sauce
12. Sprinkle with parmesan and cheese
13. Bake covered in  a casserole dish at 375 degree oven  30 minutes uncover add mozzarella last 10 minutes…ENJOY!!!

Oven Roasted Chicken Philly Sandwich

This lightened up version oven roasted chicken Philly sandwich takes the guilt out of eating fried foods. Not that I have any guilt in the first place with the traditional version of the fried Philly cheese steak.

Oh the Philly Cheese steak, and my love affair with it began in our first little hole in the wall Submarine sandwich shop.

My mama who worked with me until she couldn’t anymore, would start frying the onions and peppers just about lunch time. The aroma from the onions and peppers could be smelled blocks away, following it to our little hole in the wall. It was a smart marketing tool in the pre social media years.

In that version we used rib eye steak, bell peppers  fried it  topped it with provolone cheese and severed it on sub rolls.

As I get older I have make healthier variations to old classic recipes, I try to use leaner meats and healthier cooking processes that use less oil. And if it can be attempted to oven roasting in one pan, than that my friends is recipe success!!!

Here’s how I made this oven roasted chicken Philly Sandwich

First For this easy and quick chicken Philly sandwich I used my Cuisinart toaster oven/air fryer to roast all the ingredients for this delicious recipe, which I use often for small roast or bakes.

Second start by slicing the chicken breast in half in same size pieces for even cooking. I used 1 green and 1 red bell pepper you can use any color you like or have on hand and sliced them into strips along with 1 yellow onion.

And lastly the provolone cheese is a personal preference, use whatever cheese you like, sharp cheddar is delicious!!!

One more thing please leave me a comment. I love hearing from you. It’s my favorite part!!!

Ingredients

1. 4 skinless boneless chicken breast
2. 1 red and one green bell pepper cut in strips
3. 1 sliced onion
4. 2 tablespoons chopped garlic
5. 8 slices provolone cheese
6. 4 sub rolls
7. 2 tablespoons  olive oil
8. Salt and pepper to taste
9. juice from one lemon

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Cut chicken breast in half
3. In a bowl put the oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper
4. Toss the chicken, peppers and onions in the marinade
5. Roast in a 375degree oven for 20 minutes add the cheese last 5 minutes
6. Serve on buttered toasted  hoagie rolls

Italian Flavored Roast chicken Dinner

This easy Italian flavored chicken dinner recipe marinates the chicken in a simple Italian marinate then roasted to golden perfection in the oven.

I have fond memories of this simple Italian Chicken dinner it was the first meal I learned as a young girl, hanging on to my Mama’s apron strings. Her are still  clear as day, so many years later “Loriana, anyone can make chicken and potatoes all you need is buone volonta” .

My Mama was right!!  All you need to make a delicious Italian inspired chicken dinner is Buone Volonta , the good will to make the meal , a few good ingredients and a casserole dish!

Why I love this Italian Flavored Roast chicken Dinner

It’s no secret I like easy recipes that come together quick . This chicken recipe is so easy I was hesitate to write a blog post on it , then I thought it’s the exact reason why I should.

Another reason chicken is another one of those ingredients like pasta  very versatile and most everyone likes chicken.

Last and certainly not least this Italian flavored roast chicken dinner is just that, add some broccoli florets last 10 minutes of roasting for a complete chicken dinner on your table in less than an hour, make in one roasting pan, that everyone will love!!!

Ingredients

• 1 whole chicken quartered
• 1 lb. small potato medley
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1 sliced red onion
• 2 sliced lemons
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 2 Tbls. chopped garlic
• 2 Tbls. each chopped thyme. Italian parsley and rosemary
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees
2. Salt and pepper the chicken
3.  Make marinade by mixing rest of ingredients up to the lemon slices
4. Pour marinade over chicken and potatoes
5. Randomly place the lemon slices over the chicken and potatoes
6. Bake for 45 minutes or until chicken is golden brown and cooked through…..ENJOY!!!

Leftover Rotisserie Chicken White Lasagna

Making a delicious Italian lasagna doesn’t have to be a struggle, in fact it’s pretty easy with some store bought ingredients.

It’s perfectly  acceptable and sometimes necessary to go Semi-homemade. Semi- homemade is the way I went  in this Italian inspired leftover rotisserie chicken white lasagna.

I used store bought no boil lasagna noodles, leftover rotisserie chicken and off the shelve chicken stock to make this chicken lasagna dinner easy, delicious and uncomplicated.

If going the semi-homemade route  gives you the inspiration to make a recipe you otherwise won’t make by all means go with some store bought ingredients, it’s okay!!!

3 Tips for Success when making leftover Rotisserie chicken white lasagna

The first tip when you make this leftover Rotisserie chicken white lasagna is it doesn’t matter if you use the  white or dark meat of the chicken. What matters is that you shred the chicken so there is chicken in every bite.

Second, it’s a good idea to dip the lasagna noodles into the chicken stock before layering. This method ensures the noodles have the moisture needed to cook properly.

Third, this whole leftover rotisserie chicken white lasagna can be make ahead time and baked when you plan on serving it. This lasagna recipe is freezer friendly too. To make it even easier freeze this lasagna meal in a casserole dish that goes from freezer to oven to table.

And lastly please leave me a comment I love hearing from you, It’s my favorite part!!!

Ingredients

• 1 Lb. no boil lasagna noodles
• 3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2 cups grated parmesan
• 2 cups finely chopped spinach
• 2 Tbs. chopped Italian parsley
• 1 quart chicken stock

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Heat chicken stock to simmer then remove from fire
3. Mix the shredded rotisserie chicken with spinach and parsley
4. In a 9 X 12 covered casserole line the bottom with 1 cup heated chicken stock
5. Then line with the lasagna noodles, the chicken mixture, the mozzarella and parmesan cheese
6. Repeat layering ending with the lasagna noodles and chicken stock
7. Sprinkle with additional  grated parmesan bake for 45 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly all the way through