This grilled chicken with strawberry basil sauce is a delicious and seasonal way to switch up your chicken dinner.
I’m in a funk right now. Mainly because I’m really (like really, really) over Sunday night goodbyes after 23 weeks of them. Especially when today is your husband’s birthday and you know you won’t even be able to speak to him to wish him a happy one. Lame.
So let’s talk about chicken instead.
I went back to the farm where I got the flank steak from to make this beef pinwheels last weekend on Saturday to grab some more beef for the week.
Except this time they had chickens too. They were all bagged up and only $10 each so without hesitating, I asked for one of them in addition to my steak, paid, grabbed the bag to leave and walked out.
I got to the car, opened the passenger door to put it down and that’s when I saw it.
A chicken face staring straight at me.
I might’ve jumped back in horror, I might’ve gasped, I’m honestly not sure, but inside I was freaking out.
I stood there for a few seconds wondering if I should go back inside and ask them if they could behead the thing for me or just suck it up and bring it home. I decided I needed to save face since I plan on frequenting this place weekly and just bring the thing home.
So I got in the car and did what anyone else in this situation would do.
I texted my mom.
“I just bought a chicken with it’s head still on. Pleeeeaaasse come chop it off. I can’t do it.”
I’m also pretty sure the guts of this chicken are most likely intact inside of it as well. I mean if the head is still on, what are the chances they ripped all those internal organs out? I’m guessing slim to none.
So right now this chicken (which I feel compelled to name since it’s got a head and all) is sitting in my fridge tied up in plastic bag because I really can’t handle dead chicken eyes staring at me every time I open the door.
One of two things are going to happen this week. It’s either going in the freezer head and all or, mom and dad are coming over for a weekday decapitation/dinner party.
This is not that chicken. This is a package of chicken breasts from a chicken I thankfully never had to meet face to face all dressed up for spring with a strawberry, basil, mint and orange juice sauce. The sauce is beyond delicious and you could put it on so many different things like pancakes, beef, white fish, oatmeal even. Just stay away from things with heads still attached. It…changes things a bit.
Grilled Chicken with Strawberry Basil Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pound chicken breasts
- salt & pepper
- 1 1/2 cups strawberries, chopped
- 1/2 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon chopped basil
- 1 tablespoons chopped mint
- 2 tablespoons orange juice, fresh
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt & pepper and cook on grill or grill pan for about 5 minutes per side until done. Timing will vary depending on thickness of breasts. Cook until juices run clear and no longer pink. (If using a grill pan on the stove, grease with about 1/2 tablespoon of coconut oil before placing chicken on it).
- While chicken cooks, melt coconut oil in a small skillet over medium heat.
- Add strawberries, basil, mint and orange juice and simmer for about 10 minutes until reduced and thickened.
- Spoon strawberry sauce over cooked chicken and garnish with additional basil & mint.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
Ha oh man, getting my meats from a farm, this has actually been my worst nightmare. I haven’t had to do it yet, but I just don’t know that I could. In reading tons of books about the food industry and factory farming, etc – in one particular book an author argued that if you cannot kill and butcher your own animals, you have no business eating them, since that is all part of it. I read that page and instantly considered becoming a full time vegan. No joke. I haven’t totally taken the author’s advice but I can also see his point. At any rate, I would totally call my mom too. ;)
BTW I love the idea of strawberries and chicken. I kinda always forget about how food fruit with savory can be.
Yeah, my mother said more or less the same thing…”maybe you should be a vegetarian then” but I see it as more of a gross out factor than a remorse one. I have no problem with animals being killed (outside of factory farming methods) for consumption, I just don’t want to be the one to do it! haha There are farmers/butchers in this world for that, not me. :)
Don’t forget Moms, that’s why there are moms in the world for that, too. ha. And yup, I am totally with you let the farmers and butchers do their job. We will just make it yummy!
so gorgeous Gina!!
This is one of those things that is so simple, that it’s genius. Strawberries are one of the best summer fruits, and it all just comes together in the right way. I’m definitely saving this for a summer recipe!
STRAWBERRIES?
CHICKEN?
Id never ever ever thought of….marrying the two :0)
I’m seriously dying over this. I never would’ve had the guts to bring that home. No way! Keep us posted on what happens lol.
LOVE this! Strawberry and basil is the best combo. Pinning to my chicken breast board. ;)
Haha, I don’t know why but I almost just spit out my coffee when I read “chicken breast board”…for some reason I find that particularly funny. Ah, Pinterest… ;)
This sounds amazing! I have so many strawberries that need to be eaten! YUM!
What a perfect Spring dinner. I love strawberries with just about everything!
This looks delicious!
Wow I love the idea of this, it is so different. I would never have thought of putting strawberries with chicken :)