Baked Mediterranean Chicken & Stir-fried Green Beans

Let's start off with something simple. This dish can be eaten just by itself, or you can pair it with white rice for some carbs =)

Ingredients


Salt

I prefer coarse salt over the regular fine granulated salt, just because you can rub them into the meats better without having to buy rock salt just for that purpose.







Ground Black Pepper

You can also get whole black peppercorns and grind them yourself. I'm just lazy.








Mediterranean Herb Mix

These can be picked up at the grocery store in the spices section. If you don't like Mediterranean, then get some other mix. I feel that this mix is a one-fits-all mix mainly because you can use it on any meats or even seafood and it will still taste good. Something like "lemon seasoning" herb mixes would be more fit for fish.

2 handfuls Green beans

I get the ones where they have been washed and the ends have been cut. You know, 'cause I'm lazy. Costco sells them in bulk too, if you ever just wanna hoard them and minimize your trips to the grocery store.

5 cloves Garlic - minced

Yeah, I got the peeled ones. The ready-chopped ones don't give as much flavor.

1 lb (~0.5 kg) Chicken

Ok, so for this one I'm just cheapskate. I used to buy skinned & deboned chicken breasts, but figured it would be cheaper to just go with chicken thighs (with skin and bones). You're gonna have to skin and debone them yourself, so it's up to you on how lazy and/or cheapskate you are.




Instructions (see video)

1. Mince garlic
2. Debone and skin the chicken. Keep the bones and freeze them for future use (to make chicken stock).
3. Set oven to preheat to 350 deg F.
4. Lay aluminum foil on a baking pan and place chicken in the middle.
5. Season with salt, pepper, and mediterranean mix. RUB THEM IN.
6. Wrap up the chicken in the foil and place in the oven for 20 minutes.
7. Heat up some oil in a pan
8. Fry minced garlic until it starts to turn slightly brown
9. Add green beans. Turn heat to low and cover for a few minutes (~ 3 mins).
10. Sprinkle salt & pepper, stir, & dish out.

And you're DONE! =)



Stir-fried Green Beans with Garlic

Baked Mediterranean Chicken

My dinner for tonight in 30 minutes

The great thing about this dish is that you can prep the chicken, and toss it in the oven; then take your time cooking up the green beans without worrying about burning something else on the stove. I'm the worst when it comes to cooking more than two things on the stove, especially since I just switched from an electric stove to a gas one.

For those who don't know the difference between the two, electric stoves take longer to heat up and slower to cool down, while the gas stoves give you instant heat (and sometimes too much heat when you don't turn it low enough). Things like garlic will burn quicker over a gas stove and your pasta will bubble over when you're not watching the fire. If it's your first time cooking, don't try to multi-task.. unless you're making this dish! =)

I will post up a video tomorrow for this dish! (Edit: Video is up!) Enjoy and let me know that you think! ^_^