Juicy Chicken Italiano

Have you ever baked chicken only for it to be dry, or chewy, or just unappetizing in general? Well, there are several ways to combat that. The best way is with a marinade! Just like the Purple Chicken recipe I posted earlier, marinades can completely change the flavor of chicken. However, marinades don't have to be as complicated as the one used there!

The easiest way to ensure your chicken is juicy and delicious is with a little bit of EVOO. If you want delicious and moist chicken you should make my "Juicy Chicken Italiano." It may change the way you view chicken for the rest of your life! But, don't worry, thats O.K.!

Place the chicken breasts in a large Ziploc and drizzle in a generous portion of EVOO. Top that with the Holy Herb Trinity [basil, thyme, oregano] and seal the bag while pushing as much air out as possible. Shake the bag up to evenly distribute the marinade over the pieces of chicken. Place the chicken into the refrigerator for a minimum of four hours while the EVOO penetrates into the meat.

After allowing the chicken to rest in the marinade for four hours, remove the chicken from the fridge. Place the chicken into a baking dish that is lightly greased. When the chicken is in the baking dish, take some fresh rosemary leaves and scatter them over the chicken. Place the chicken into a preheated oven at 400 degrees. Cook the chicken for thirty minutes, or until the juices run clear.

When I was looking through my fridge, pantry, and freezer for something to have as a side, I found mashed sweet potatoes! That sounds perfect!!! Now, these sweet potatoes were already mashed, and mixed, and deliciously prepared. But, here's how to make them from scratch! Bring a large pot of salted water up to a boil while you peel 4-5 large sweet potatoes and cut them into quarters. Once the water is boiling place the potatoes into the boiling water for fifteen minutes, or until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork. Drain the potatoes and place them into a large bowl with half a stick of butter, half a cup of cream and half a teaspoon of cinnamon. Mash the potatoes together with the ingredients until you have reached the consistency that you prefer.

After the chicken is cooked thoroughly, remove from oven. Place the chicken on to a cutting board and out of the baking dish to allow oils and juices to settle while you plate a serving of sweet potatoes. Once the chicken has rested for a few minutes, place the whole breast  on the plate opposite the potatoes.

This meal is a great option for families that are looking for something simple and delicious to cook and it pairs well with a sweet white wine, like Pinot Grigio!

What you need

Chicken

EVOO [Extra Virgin Olive Oil]

Holy Herb Trinity [basil, thyme, oregano]
Rosemary

Sweet Potatoes

Salt

Butter

Cream

Cinnamon

Potato masher [optional]