The Protein Series: Part 3
Protein, along with carbohydrates and fats, forms the trio of essential macronutrients that our bodies require in large amounts for optimal function. Together, and in the right proportions, these three ensure that the body has the necessary energy, structural components, and functional molecules to operate efficiently. A balanced diet also ensures that the body receives all the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to support these processes.
This post continues our blog series exploring different types of proteins and their various benefits along with creative recipes and resources to help you incorporate them into your regular cooking routine. To recap: in March, we talked about the health benefits of consuming fish and shared a variety of fish recipes; in June, we highlighted beef and the many forms it takes, from steak, to burgers, to sliced deli meat.
The featured protein for the month of September is: Chicken!
All About Chicken
September is a perfect time of year to ramp up your household’s chicken consumption. For starters, it’s National Chicken Month! Use the special occasion to experiment with a new recipe or explore a different preparation method. With summer coming to an end and fall just around the corner, you get the added benefit of choosing between indoor or outdoor cooking. So, whether barbecuing some chicken thighs and drumsticks, or slow-roasting a whole chicken in your oven or slow-cooker, the possibilities are endless!
Chicken Benefits:
- Low-calorie, low-sodium, and low-fat source of protein1
- Complete protein offering all nine essential amino acids
- Promotes heart health
- May aid in weight loss
- 5 oz. boneless, skinless chicken breast provides 165 calories, 31g protein, and 3.57g fat
- Provides essential nutrients such as magnesium, potassium, choline, vitamin B12, and iron
If any of these facts resonate with you, we know you’ll find the below recipes useful!
13 Ways to Celebrate National Chicken Month
If you’re looking for some menu inspiration for your next weeknight meal, consider some of the below recipes that use chicken as a primary ingredient!
1. Classic Fried Chicken Sandwich
Nothing else hits the spot quite like crispy, crunchy, fried chicken. Recreate your favorite fast food sandwich with buttermilk-marinated chicken thighs, deep-fried and served on a Martin’s Sandwich Potato Roll topped with bread and butter pickles and homemade Honey Sriracha Mayo.
Get the Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/classic-fried-chicken-sandwich/
More Fried Chicken Recipes:
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2. Crispy Chicken Sliders with Jalapeño Mayo
Try the above fried chicken recipe in miniature form by cutting the chicken thighs into smaller cutlets, marinating, deep frying, and serving on Martin’s Sweet Dinner Potato Rolls topped with crispy bacon and a homemade jalapeño mayonnaise.
Get the Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/crispy-chicken-sliders-with-spicy-mayo
More Chicken Sliders Recipes:
Recipes Archive: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/?dish-type=sliders&specialties=chicken-poultry
3. Classic Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Use the last bit of summer to grill up some seasoned chicken breast for use in everything from salads and entrées to this savory sandwich topped with bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a special honey-barbecue mayo.
Get the Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/classic-grilled-chicken-sandwich/
More Grilled Chicken Recipes:
4. Classic Chicken Salad Sandwich
The classic chicken salad sandwich is a tried-and-true option for school and work lunches or busy weeknight dinners. Simply chop up leftover cooked or rotisserie chicken and combine with mayo, celery, red onion, Dijon mustard, salt and pepper. Serve on Martin’s Butter Bread for a simple and delicious meal.
Get the Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/classic-chicken-salad-sandwich/
More Chicken Salad Recipes:
5. Poppy Seed Chicken Casserole
Chicken is incredibly versatile and makes a great protein option for baked casseroles like this Poppy Seed Chicken, made with Martin’s Potato Bread crumbs, sour cream, condensed cream of chicken soup, butter, and poppy seeds. (Click here for a video tutorial!)
Get the Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/poppy-seed-chicken-casserole/
More Chicken Casserole Recipes:
Recipes Archive: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/?dish-type=casseroles&specialties=chicken-poultry
6. Chopped Salad with Chicken
Chopped green salads are another obvious choice for using cooked chicken, whether pre-grilled or canned. Simply chop the meat into small cubes and toss with chopped romaine, tomato, cucumber, bacon, avocado, chickpeas, chives, mozzarella pearls, and Martin’s Big Marty’s croutons, for a colorful and exciting dish.
Get the recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/chopped-salad-with-chicken/
More Green Salad Recipes:
Recipes Archive: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/?dish-type=salads&specialties=chicken-poultry
7. Pulled Chicken Sandwich with Pickled Onions
Another aspect of chicken that offers a lot of flexibility in cooking is its shred-ability. Cooked chicken is extremely easy to pull apart using forks or tongs. This preparation makes the chicken easier to sauce or season evenly and allows a more versatile format for serving barbecue, tacos, sandwiches, and the like. Try the above example, flavored with BBQ seasoning and served with pickled red onions and Alabama White BBQ Sauce.
Get the Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/pulled-chicken-sandwiches-with-pickled-onions
More Pulled Chicken Recipes:
- Shredded Chipotle Lime Chicken Sliders
- Slow Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches with Ranch Coleslaw
- Apple Cider Pulled Chicken Sandwiches
8. Chicken Burgers with Homemade Ranch
Just as with beef and pork, you can also find chicken in a minced or ground form, which is ideal for preparing dishes like burgers, meatballs, or chili. These end-of-summer burgers utilize ground chicken, along with breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, Worcestershire sauce, garlic, black pepper, and homemade ranch dressing to form the burger patties, which are then grilled and served on Martin’s Sandwich Potato Rolls, topped with your preferred condiments and toppings.
Get the Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/grilled-chicken-and-homemade-ranch-burgers
More Chicken Burger Recipes:
Recipes Archive: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/?dish-type=burgers&specialties=chicken-poultry
9. Mushroom Melt Hasselback Chicken
The mild, subtle flavor profile of chicken breast makes it the perfect blank canvas for all your favorite cuisines, from chicken parmesan to this baked hasselback chicken, stuffed with sautéed mushrooms and onions, seasoned breadcrumbs, black forest ham, bacon, and Havarti cheese.
Get the Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/mushroom-melt-hasselback-chicken/
More Baked Chicken Recipes:
10. Grilled Chicken and Mango Skewer Subs
A fun and creative method of preparing chicken is to cut it into medium cubes and layer it onto a skewer with optional fruits or vegetables to make chicken kabobs! The above example uses chicken breast and mango kabobs, which are then served as subs on Martin’s Long Potato Rolls, topped with grilled corn and scallions.
Get the Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/grilled-chicken-and-mango-skewer-subs/
More Chicken Kabobs Recipes:
Recipes Archive: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/?dish-type=subs-hoagies&specialties=chicken-poultry
11. Open-Faced Chicken Piccata Sandwich
Chicken in all its forms (grilled, baked, shredded) pairs exceptionally well with all types of bread to create a never-ending list of amazing sandwich combos. Here, we have an open-faced sandwich on toasted, garlic-infused Martin’s Butter Bread; the perfect vehicle for pan-fried chicken piccata, topped with a savory pan sauce and shaved parmesan cheese, served over a bed of arugula salad.
Get the Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/open-faced-chicken-piccata-sandwich/
More Chicken Sandwich Recipes:
- Rosemary Balsamic Chicken Bacon Panini
- Chicken and Marinated Zucchini Sandwich
- Basil, Blackberry & Grilled Chicken Sandwich
Recipes Archive: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/?dish-type=sandwiches&specialties=chicken-poultry
12. Honey Mustard BBQ Shredded Chicken Sandwiches
Barbecue frequently highlights proteins like beef and pork, but chicken makes another excellent option for grilled or slow-cooked meat. Both preparations make for a great BBQ sandwich, like the above recipe, which uses a multicooker to break down the meat, then accompanies it with a homemade honey mustard barbecue sauce atop Martin’s Big Marty’s Rolls.
Get the Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/honey-mustard-bbq-shredded-chicken-sandwich
More BBQ Chicken Recipes:
Recipes Archive: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/?dish-type=bbq&specialties=chicken-poultry
13. California Chicken Flatbread
One more creative usage idea for good measure: split and flatten an entire sheet of Martin’s Slider Potato Rolls (or use Martin’s Sweet Dinner or Sweet Party Potato Rolls) to build the base for a flatbread-style pizza. Top with your favorite flavors, like chopped cooked chicken breast, red peppers, bacon, and Monterey jack cheese, then bake in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes until warm and toasty. (To complete the above recipe, finish off with chopped avocado, cilantro, crushed red pepper, and chipotle-ranch dressing.)
Get the Recipe: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/california-chicken-flatbread/
More Flatbread Recipes:
Recipes Archive: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/?dish-type=flatbread&specialties=chicken-poultry
Chicken Recipes Archive: https://potatorolls.com/recipes/?specialties=chicken-poultry
Check out these resources for more cooking preparation tips:
- 3 Simple Chicken Marinade Recipes – Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls & Bread
- Health Benefits of Chicken – Chicken Check In
- How to Make a Fried Chicken Sandwich – Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls & Bread
- Nutrition and Health Policy – National Chicken Council
- How to Cook Chicken in a Multi-Cooker – Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls & Bread
- Fried Chicken Sandwich Showcase – Martin’s Famous Potato Rolls & Bread
Related Posts:
Sources:
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