I’m on a healthy kick lately. I’m really trying to a) lose weight for the wedding and b) make a lifestyle change to remain healthy and fit once I look the way I want to for the wedding. I’ll be honest though, eating salads and carrots and fruits over and over again doesn’t really float my boat. I’m always looking for new and interesting recipes.
Luckily, I’m marrying someone who can cook better than I can, and he came up with this awesome chicken dry rub to give my dull bland baked chicken a little kick. Not to mention it refrigerates really well and can be used throughout the week.
You will need:
Boneless, skinless chicken breast (I usually buy Perdue or whatever is on sale)
Sea salt
Black pepper
Ground cumin
Oregano
Garlic powder
Paprika
Cayenne pepper
Aluminum foil
Deep baking dish
I LOVE food with a little kick, Cajun and Mexican especially. I love a little spice. This rub can either be mild or “Ah! Chihuahua” hot. I tend to lean a little toward the warmer side myself, but it’s good either way.
Preheat your oven to 450 degrees and cover a deep baking dish with aluminum foil.
Mix together sea salt, black pepper, ground cumin, oregano, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne pepper. If you want it more Italian style add more garlic powder and oregano and less of everything else. If you want it more Cajun, then go heavy on the spicy friends. You don’t need a ton of the dry rub, I usually mix mine in a ramekin. Set aside.
Cut the chicken breasts in half long ways so you have thinner pieces to work with. Then gently rub your mixture onto both sides of the chicken breast piece and place into the baking dish. If a baking dish is too small, you can also use a cookie sheet with a lip covered in aluminum foil.
When you are finished rubbing, bake at 450 for 20 minutes. Make sure it is cooked thoroughly and let cool.
There are plenty of things to do with the chicken. You could cut it up and eat it with a little whole wheat pasta with some olive oil, or add it to a bland salad. You could leave it as a whole piece and eat it with some baked asparagus. You could make some veggies and have some yummy spicy tacos. I know my fiancé eats his on his sandwich. Really the sky is the limit. I just like to have it on hand for whatever meal I’m feeling that week.
What’s your favorite chicken meal?
