Embracing Chicken Breasts: Five Versatile Recipes

Emily Weinstein, a well-known food writer at The New York Times, recently addressed reader inquiries regarding the predominance of chicken thigh recipes featured on NYT Cooking. Responding to feedback requesting more chicken breast options, Weinstein highlighted the merits of boneless, skinless chicken breasts in the June 18, 2024 edition of her newsletter, Five Weeknight Dishes.

Weinstein acknowledged that chicken thighs, due to their higher fat content, are often juicier and more flavorful. However, she emphasized that chicken breasts, when correctly prepared, can also be tender and succulent while serving as a versatile canvas for various flavors. To illustrate this, Weinstein presented five distinct chicken breast recipes:

  1. Honey Garlic Chicken: Yasmin Fahr’s recipe combines honey, soy, vinegar, garlic, and butter to create a savory-sweet sauce, perfect for drizzling over broccoli and rice.
  2. Chicken and Rice With Scallion-Ginger Sauce: Sue Li’s dish offers tender chicken breast and a zesty ginger, scallion, and jalapeño sauce, reminiscent of Hainanese chicken rice.
  3. Chicken Piccata: Ali Slagle’s take on this Italian American classic includes lemony, buttery flavors easily replicable at home.
  4. Ritzy Cheddar Chicken Breasts: Eric Kim enhances chicken with Cheddar cheese, Ritz crackers, sour cream, and Dijon mustard, creating a kid-friendly favorite.
  5. Hara Masala Murgh (Green Masala Chicken): Zainab Shah’s quick version of this South Asian dish uses cilantro, mint, and a blend of herbs for a vibrant, peppery flavor.

For those still preferring chicken thighs or looking for other dinner ideas, Weinstein assured that an array of options is available. Additionally, she announced that starting next week, subscribers would receive one easy and quick dinner recipe each evening from Monday to Thursday, supplementing the regular Tuesday newsletter.

Weinstein also listed other dishes she is preparing, such as frozen margaritas and Southern fried corn, inviting readers to get in touch via her NYT email. She encouraged readers to explore the full selection of recipes in their weekly plan, emphasizing the appeal of chicken breasts as a staple ingredient.

For more information, recipes, and culinary tips, visit NYT Cooking.