Description
Succulent lemon herb poached chicken delivers Mediterranean elegance on dinner plates. Herbal notes and citrus brightness infuse delicate meat, creating a light yet satisfying meal you can savor with minimal kitchen effort.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (8 oz/227 g) boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 tbsps (30 mL) lemon juice
- 1–2 pinches kosher salt
- 1–2 pinches dried herbs (tarragon, oregano, basil, rosemary, or thyme) or other seasoning (cumin or paprika)
- 1 plastic wrap (microwave safe)
Instructions
- Preparation: Trim excess fat from chicken breasts and slice into uniform strips, maintaining pieces under 3 inches in diameter.
- Marinating: Craft a vibrant marinade using fresh lemon juice, herbs, and salt, thoroughly coating each chicken strip to maximize flavor infusion.
- Poaching Setup: Select a spacious pot and generate a gentle, consistent simmer that will delicately cook the chicken without compromising its tenderness.
- Wrapping Technique: Unroll plastic wrap and meticulously position each marinated chicken strip in the center, wrapping with precise, firm pressure to eliminate air pockets and create compact cylindrical shapes.
- Sealing Process: Twist wrapped ends securely with double knots, ensuring watertight integrity and preventing liquid infiltration during the poaching method.
- Cooking: Submerge tightly wrapped chicken bundles into the simmering liquid, allowing gentle heat to cook chicken evenly and preserve its delicate texture, approximately 10-12 minutes until fully cooked through.
- Finishing: Remove chicken from poaching liquid, carefully unwrap each bundle, and let rest momentarily before serving to allow juices to redistribute and enhance overall flavor profile.
Notes
- Master Marinating Technique: Ensure every chicken strip is thoroughly coated with the lemon herb mixture for maximum flavor penetration and even seasoning.
- Precise Wrapping Strategy: Create tight, air-free cylindrical wraps using plastic wrap to prevent water infiltration and maintain uniform chicken shape during poaching.
- Temperature Control Tip: Maintain a gentle, consistent simmer to poach chicken delicately without toughening the meat or losing moisture.
- Uniform Sizing Matters: Cut chicken strips to consistent 3-inch lengths for even cooking and professional presentation, allowing each piece to absorb marinade equally.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Poaching
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 165
- Sugar: 0.5 g
- Sodium: 10 mg
- Fat: 3.6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 85 mg