broccoli, chicken & rice casserole

Just like my mom used to make. It's even better the next day! The best thing is that it's so easy to make and you can switch up the ingredients to what you already have on hand. 

Broccoli, Chicken, & Rice Casserole

2 cans of condensed soup (cream of chicken, mushroom, etc)

2-3 boneless chicken breasts cut up

2 cups uncooked rice

half of an onion - chopped

salt and pepper

8 oz. of shredded cheese

2 cups of broccoli

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Cook the rice (I used our rice cooker). Season chicken with S & P. Pan saute chicken breasts in butter or olive oil on medium heat, 3 mins on each side. Add onions during the last 3 mins. Cook broccoli (I used the frozen steamer pack and steamed it in it's bag in the microwave). Mix the rice, chicken, onions, broccoli, cheese, and some salt and pepper to taste in a 9x9 or 13x9 pan. Bake for 30 mins!

chicken piccata

One of my favorite dishes to order when I go out is Chicken Piccata. So, I decided to try Giada's recipe at home. Soo good! It reminded me of The Cheesecake Factory's version. I paired it with angel hair pasta and added some chopped shallots to the sauce and reduced the amount of lemon juice and increased the chicken stock. Ta-da! I was very happy with how it turned out:

Ingredients

• 2 skinless and boneless chicken breasts, butterflied and then cut in half
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• All-purpose flour, for dredging
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice (I reduced to about 1/4 cup or one whole lemon)
• 1/2 cup chicken stock (I increased to 2/3 cup)
• 1/4 cup brined capers, rinsed
• 1/3 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• I added a chopped shallot to the pan after the chicken was done

Directions

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Dredge chicken in flour and shake off excess.

In a large skillet over medium high heat, melt 2 tablespoons of butter with 3 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add 2 pieces of chicken and cook for 3 minutes. When chicken is browned, flip and cook other side for 3 minutes. Remove and transfer to plate. Melt 2 more tablespoons butter and add another 2 tablespoons olive oil. When butter and oil start to sizzle, add the other 2 pieces of chicken and brown both sides in same manner. Remove pan from heat and add chicken to the plate.

Into the pan add the lemon juice, stock and capers. Return to stove and bring to boil, scraping up brown bits from the pan for extra flavor. Check for seasoning. Return all the chicken to the pan and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove chicken to platter. Add remaining 2 tablespoons butter to sauce and whisk vigorously. Pour sauce over chicken and garnish with parsley.

Recipe courtesy Giada De Laurentiis