Easy Lemon Chicken

Good Tuesday morning!

I forgot to post a photo of my Mother's Day gift. (Check out The Gallery!) The kids always give me three hanging baskets for the front porch on Mother's Day. It's never a surprise, but it is always welcome. (I'm not sure why they bought Impatiens this year. I know it isn't spelled the same as my main mood... IMPATIENCE, but it makes me wonder if they're trying to tell me something.)

I think it helps to have a "repeat" gift for certain occasions. When I'm 85, Austin, Josh and Roxie will never have to wonder what to give me for Mother's Day. Take me out to lunch (the week AFTER Mother's Day) and give me three hanging baskets. Simple. I'll be happy. They'll be happy. Another stress-free holiday!

We've taken Mikie to Dreamland Barbecue and a movie the last three years for his Father's Day gift. He's happy. The kids are REALLY happy. I like it because everyone wears a bib. Being a mother, it just takes me back in time when the kids were little. Again... stress-free!

QUESTION - Do any of the readers today have a "repeat" gift they give or receive each year on the same occasion? I would love for you to share your ideas.

RANDOMNESS #1 - Well, I watched 24 again last night, and I must say I am very disturbed. I have stopped calling Austin and Josh "Jack 1" and "Jack 2," because the original Jack has completely gone off his rocker! The boys are liking the show right now. Me... not so much. (I've even stopped wearing Austin's 24 t-shirt until Jack decides to straighten up!)

RANDOMNESS #2 - I feel the need to see the new movie Babies. I must see it soon. I'm pretty sure I'm going to go alone and slip in the dark theater one day this week and just soak in all the "babyness." I miss babies in my daily life.

Easy Lemon Chicken

Although this came from my June Southern Living Magazine, it looks incredibly doable. I have the ingredients, and I'm going to do a step-by-step pictorial this evening as I prepare this wonderful meal. This year, I'm really going to start working on my presentation. I'm okay with the taste part of the meal (for the most part), but I want the pretty food you see in the magazines on my dinner table. Technically, that means I'll be putting little green, leafy things and thinly sliced oranges on all of my dinner plates beginning tonight!

You will need the following:

4 skinned and boned chicken breasts
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
4 tablespoons butter, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup lemon juice
8 lemon slices
1/4 cup chopped parsley

1. Cut chicken breast in half. Place chicken between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap. Flatten to 1/4" thickness using a rolling pin. (FUN!)

2. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge chicken in flour, shaking off excess.

3. Melt 1 tablespoon butter with 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cook half of chicken in skillet 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until golden brown and done. Repeat this process with 1 tablespoon butter and remaining olive oil and other half of chicken.

4. Add broth and lemon juice to skillet. Cook 1 to 2 minutes or until sauce is slightly thickened, stirring to loosen particles from bottom of skillet. Add 8 lemon slices.

5. Remove skillet from heat. Add parsley and remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir until butter melts.

6. Pour sauce over chicken. Serve immediately!

Heavy sigh! I forgot to get the lemon this morning! I had everything I needed... except a lemon! It's okay. I'll just pull a Martha Stewart and run out in my back yard and pick one off my lemon tree after I cut my fresh parsley from my little herb garden I tend in my spare time... NOT! I'll run by the store after I pick Miss Roxie up this afternoon. Flexibility, people!

Also, I'm using chicken tenders instead of chicken breasts because I already had them in the freezer.

In the Southern Living Magazine, this meal is shown with Carrot Orzo and Green Beans with Goat Cheese, Tomatoes and Almonds. Not happening here! We're having mashed caulitaters and MAYBE glazed carrots. I have to see what kind of mood I'm in later in the day.

Have a productive Tuesday. Wednesday I'll be sharing Wednesday Wisdom, a summer Seasonal Tradition, and a little of this and a little of that.

Take care, and I'll talk to you tomorrow.

Sincerely,

The Enchanting and Lemonless Belinda