Stupid-Proof Chicken

For Christmas dinner, my cousin and I made a traditional goose. My aunt's recipe called for cranberry-stuffed grannie smith apples. I have a very simple chicken preparation that was waiting for an inspired accompaniment, and I think I found it.


The chicken preparation is easy. You take a bone-in chicken breast, lift the top skin with the point of a knife, push your finger between the skin and the meat and make a cavity. Then push in your favorite herbs and a generous pat of butter. We have had great success with rosemary and tarragon. Then bake at 350 for roughly an hour, bone side down. This recipe came about as a grilled chicken recipe. Grill bone side down. Insert a meat thermometer into the thickest part of the breast, at 155F, its dinner time.

Core out a pear from the bottom. Insert blueberries and cranberries, or some fresh black and red raspberries and let them bake in the oven with your chicken, for the last 20 minutes. The pear only sweetens and the berries and pear come together to form something lively, surprising and very satisfying.

In the end, you have a rather large meal with a great balance of flavor, that takes a minimum of time to prep. Want something delicious, unpretentious, and impressive for the next time you have company over? Do this thing here and everyone is happy. This was delicious.

$3.50 per serving. Full of flavor. A big meal. Good protein. Mild. Great antioxidants. Simple to do. Cheap. Healthy. Warm. Delicious.