2.14.2011

Millet and Lemon Chicken


Dinner in under 30 minutes? Check. Inexpensive? Check. Delicious? Check. A healthy grain? Check. Family friendly? Absolutely. All you need is a green vegetable and dinner is on the table. You know that show called "5 Ingredient Fix?" This dish beats it. Four basic ingredients: chicken, lemons, crème fraiche and millet. 


This recipe for Lemon Chicken has already made the blog rounds,  so please be patient with me. It's the idea of serving it over millet that intrigued me; I've heard of millet, but never tried it. I'm sold. It's brilliant. And here you thought it was bird seed. Well, actually it IS bird seed...but you're going to love it anyway. Better than couscous, I promise. You may know all about it, but if you don't or want to learn more, check
here.

As far as this recipe is concerned, Lemon Chicken served on TOP of millet is on my favorite dinner hit list right now. Thank you Amanda Hesser for the fabulously simple and elegant Lemon Chicken recipe. Thank you Luisa for suggesting millet, albeit for an entirely different chicken recipe, but still.... I just combined Amanda Hesser's Lemon Chicken with Luisa's millet idea and came up with this. There's a lovely gravy and I should have put more on the chicken before I took the photo. Oh well.
If you're one of the four people who hasn't made this chicken yet :)...you should, or make it again and serve it over millet, my dears.

Bench notes
When cooking millet, keep a couple things in mind: The flavor of millet is enhanced by lightly roasting the grains in a dry pan before cooking; stir constantly for approximately three minutes or until a mild, nutty aroma is detected and then add your cooking liquid. I used chicken stock. The grain has a fluffier texture when less water is used and is very moist and dense when cooked with extra water. I liked the fluffy version.


Amanda Hesser's Lemon Chicken 



Ingredients:

1 1/2 tablespoons butter
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
4 whole chicken legs (thighs attached)
Coarse sea salt
Freshly ground black pepper
Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup crème fraiche

Method:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. After 3 minutes, add the butter and oil. Season the chicken generously with salt and very generously with pepper. Place the chicken, skin side down, in the skillet and brown well on both sides, turning once. 

Transfer the skillet to the oven. Bake for 15 minutes, or until the juices run clear when the chicken is pierced with a knife. (Yes, I know 15 minutes doesn't sound like enough time, but if you browned it well, it's perfect. At least mine was. Use your instant-read thermometer. It should read 165. Check for clear juices just in case though.)


Return the skillet to the stovetop. Transfer the chicken to a platter and keep warm. Remove all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the skillet. Place over medium heat, add the lemon juice, and stir to scrape up any pan drippings. Simmer for 1 minute, then add the crème fraiche and stir until melted and bubbling. If the sauce is too thick, add a few tablespoons of water. Pour the sauce over the chicken and sprinkle with lemon zest and additional pepper. Serve hot. 

Serves 4.


Spiced and Herbed Millet
From The New York Times, March 1, 2006

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons olive oil
2½ cups millet
½ teaspoon ground cumin (omit for this particular recipe)
4 cups vegetable or chicken broth
Juice of half a lemon
¼ cup chopped parsley
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil. 

Method:

Place olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add millet and stir until glossy. Add cumin and broth and stir.
Raise heat and bring to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to low. Simmer gently just until millet has absorbed all the broth, about 25 minutes.
Remove from heat and add lemon juice, parsley and extra virgin olive oil. Work them into the millet using a fork, fluffing mixture. Transfer to a warmed bowl and serve.
6 servings.

59 comments:

  1. That dish looks terrific. I'm going to have to try millet. It looks great.

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  2. Hi Barbara,

    The only time I have tried millet is when my Mother use to add it to her wholemeal bread and that was good.
    Thanks for sharing the recipe and I will have to buy some millet next time I get the groceries.

    Hugs
    Carolyn

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  3. This whole dish looks so nice for a weeknight meal, thanks for sharing it and happy vday

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  4. A light and very fragrant dish! Lovely.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  5. I haven't heard of millet Barbara, now I will have to google about it. Your dish looks delicious!

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  6. Happy Valentine's, Barbara! I am loving millet to. It has a very special fragrant smell and the spices making it even greater. It is a fantastic combo between the two. Hmm...yumm.... Thanks for sharing such loving recipe. Have a sweet & loving day.
    Blessings, Kristy

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  7. Is millet kind of like barley?

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  8. Millet is another one of those ingredients I have not yet tried. It does sound delicious with the lemon chicken so now is as good a time as any.

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  9. I am so thrilled you wrote about millet. I have been wanting to try it since we like spelt and quinoa so much. Now I know I will try it. Thanks. Susan

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  10. Lemon + creme fraiche = delicious. A great dinner!!

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  11. Barbara, this is definitely my kind of meal. Chicken thighs are my favourites as well.
    I've heard of millets but never tried it. Well, I'm gonna have a look around and give it a go. If you said it's brilliant, I trust you :)

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  12. The lemon chicken looks delicious on the millet. I see millet at Whole Foods but have never tried it. Thanks for the inspiration!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  13. it's breakfast and my mouth is watering . . . i am one of those 'four' who have not seen this recipe and am probably also one of 'four' who haven't tried millet. and i love couscous so if you say i'll like millet even more? i'm sold!

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  14. Oh so wonderful,i lovee those under 30mins dinners too , u inspire me to post about them too!
    ANd while at that , i would loveee to make this lemon chicken , u have evrything absolutely delicious!
    I have never tried millet this way!
    Love the addition of zest to the chicken!
    Happy V week babe with lodsa love and happy sunshine ,oh love is so in the air * 365....

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  15. Well, I am one of the four! The creme fraiche must make all the difference. I have eaten millet---surprised by how much I enjoyed it---but have yet to cook with it. Thanks for this---and your photo is terrific--

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  16. Millet, eh? I've never tried it. I loathe couscous, so I'm always on the lookout for a new grain. Maybe I'll get brave and try it!

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  17. Yup, millet = birdseed. I know it was the grain in Europe for ages with barley and rye and such but have never tried it, go figure. Whole Foods here I come.
    The lemon chicken looks amazing... I am utterly addicted to lemons... go through a whole bag every week or 2... and the zest is one of my favorite bits. Although I have been loyal to a Marcella Hazan lemon chicken with egg forever... maybe I should give this a try.. thanks for the great idea, Barbara!

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  18. Looks fantastic! I've never had millet before but it looks so good with the lemon chicken, I'm dyin' to try!

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  19. The lemon chicken sounds excellent and I would love to try millet, this is a new grain for me!

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  20. The chicken in that lemon sauce sounds delicious! A must try! Count me as one who thought it was bird seed :) I love to make rice the same way, toasting the grains in the pan for a bit first. I'll have to look for some at the store.

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  21. I'm trying to like chicken. This recipe sounds like a winner.

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  22. That looks wonderful!

    I used to serve millet with honey and organic milk to my kids in the seventies when I was a hippy chick...

    I love millet and well, anything with cumin gets my heart to beat just a little faster!

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  23. I'm a huge fan of Amanda Hesser's recipes and this one looks absolutely wonderful. Isn't it fabulous to find something so tasty and quick too?

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  24. You could totally give the Food Network and Rachel Ray a run for their money with this dish. Delicious.

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  25. I've never heard of millet, sounds interesting. It sure LOOKS good! THanks!

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  26. I never cooked millet this way, I am temped now. Sounds healthy and delicious. Love the simplicity of your chicken recipe as well.

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  27. Oh, this looks so yummy. I am a huge fan of chicken anything and this is definitely going to go on my "recipes to try" list. Thank you, Barbara!

    PS I too loathe driving in Boston and adore s'mores. Good call!

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  28. i really want to try millet! this is a lovely dish, chicken and lemon is such a great combo!

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  29. I love the idea of toasting the millet first. It is so logical, Barbara, yet I wouldn't have thought to do it myself. YUM!
    :)
    Valerie

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  30. I'm going to have to try millet after such a rave review. I already know I'll love the lemon chicken.

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  31. I'm so happy to see a review on millet and then also to stumble upon such a great recipe while doing so. This looks like one of those family dinners that everyone instantly loves and asks for over and over. So happy to hear you enjoyed the millet. I have some millet in the pantry and was curious about how it tastes.

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  32. Well I'm one of the four people who hasn't made the lemon chicken yet, so I'll just have to try it with the millet. Looks great!

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  33. I'm thinking about making this when my in-laws come down.

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  34. Hey Barbara! I love millet-it's such a nice gluten-free grain. Me thinks...Plus, I didn't know about the water thing. I will try your 'fluffy' way next time I make it for sure.
    Ooh, and your lemon chicken looks awesome, Lady:)

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  35. I have actually never tried millet! Yours looks so light and fluffy...thanks for the cooking tips! Definitely going on my "to-make" list.

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  36. Millet is going on the list. It is something my celiac husband can eat. I have never made it but I should. It will expand his diet. Yeah.

    The chicken-millet dish looks delicious.

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  37. Fabulous!!! So I am one of four people who has not made this...and thanks to you I will make it with millet! Looks and sounds delicious!

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  38. BARBARA! YIKES this looks good....chicken is my meat of choice on these late evenings!!! HOW DEAREST, thank you for coming to my post. And that you had tears....oh, LOVE WILL DO THAT TO YA! Thank you so much for sharing your heart due to my silly little post. My photos of our addition do no justice to the beauty that is developing, but I truly believe that like love, building a nest takes time. It has been fun. We at a meal the other night there: CHICKEN SPINACH SALAD with lots of walnuts....oh dear, I cannot get enough of that!

    BON APPÉTIT DEAREST! Anita

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  39. Millet would be something new for me - love lemon chicken. Will need to check it out!

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  40. I will definitely pick up some millet! Thank you for the delicious and healthy idea!

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  41. What a delicious dish Barbara and I must admit I've never really cooked much with millet before. I must really give it a go now! :D

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  42. If it's by Amanda Hesser, it's got to be great. I have always loved her NY Times recipes. Yum!

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  43. i'm completely unaware of how to cook with millet, so i appreciate the tips and the recipe! it sounds like a grain worth getting to know. :)

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  44. Millet is one of the first plants to have been domesticated in the neolithic. It's very easily digested, and it has the highest calcium content of all grains. Millet patties are very popular in my house.

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  45. What a great recipe!! It sound delish... and who couldnt use a new better way to make chicken?? Cause I know I need this!

    :)

    Blessings-
    Amanda

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  46. Better than couscous? I can't wait to try it!

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  47. Even though I have never had millet, I am sure I would love it with these spices and the lemon flavor (I love lemon under or over anything!).
    Great recipe for a weeknight.

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  48. I bought a pack of millet last month, and not quite sure what I want to do with it...now I believe I know. The chicken looks so succulent and tender!

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  49. What a marvelous combination, Barbara! :-) I really love millet but I usually just make it as porridge with coconut and almond. I will have to try this savory version soon!

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  50. Well, I haven't made the chicken! And I love the idea of serving it over millet.

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  51. Fluffy millet sounds great! I think I overcooked it last time and ended up with moist and dense. The lemon chicken sounds delicious too, and I must be one of the four! I need to try it.

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  52. Have a little something waiting for you here:
    http://anulaskitchen.blogspot.com/2011/02/stylish-blogger-award-and-little-bit.html

    Pozdrawiam! Anula.

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  53. Oh Barbara a lovely combination, the Millet with the brightness of the addition of lemon sounds so wonderful.
    Hope you are enjoying all the sunshine in your pretty state...we are trying very hard to deal with our loss and slowly get back to everything.
    xx
    Bunny

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  54. I've never tried millet before either, but I'm sold! It sounds like a grain I need to pick up right away! Thank you for sharing this with me...and for your kind words on my own blog!

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  55. this would be a perfect meal to serve with guests!

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  56. This grain just happens to be on my top 5 list of favourites. Stuffing peppers with it is a great combo too.

    Your meal is certainly a great dish I'd love to come home to ;o)

    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

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  57. Millet is one of those grains at the health food store that I pass and think, "hmmm...worth buying?" Looks like it might be! Thanks for this great recipe. I love anything with lemon.

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  58. this looks really delicious!.. i cannot wait to try making them for my family:) thanks for sharing this and have a great weekend.

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  59. Oh my goodness, I love how SIMPLE this is. And it looks divine! I'll have to go find me some millet!

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