Chicken frequently goes on sale here. When it does, I buy several big packs. I only use boneless, skinless chicken breasts. Yes, I know all the flavor is in the ______ (fill in what ever part you think I am missing out on), but I like them and I don't like the greasiness of the rest. I do like to use those parts to make stock with, though. :-D I am going to give instructions based on how I use boneless, skinless chicken breasts.
1. Take 4 pieces (around 3 pounds for the kind I have been getting), flatten using a meat mallet to a very thin piece. Cut pieces into portions, 4 breasts generally give me 8 pieces. Dredge through italian bread crumbs for a very light coating, and I do mean it will be light. Flash freeze, then put into a ziploc back. To prepare: Cook in a skillet with a bit of olive oil from it's frozen state. Squirt some fresh lemon juice over it, throw on a few capers and serve. Very good!
2. Take 6 pounds and boil in water with a whole onion, a few celery stalks and a couple carrots. Don't worry about chopping the veggies, you are going to strain them out. Right before they are done, throw in some thyme and fresh sage. Simmer for another 5 minutes or so and then pull chicken out and put on plate to cool. When the broth is mostly cool, strain it and store in several quart freezer bags. Shred the chicken. Divide into portions appropriate for your family. Put each portion in a freezer bag with a bit of the broth. Thaw and use for salads, chicken tacos, casseroles, etc....
3. Take 5 pounds of chicken and cut into nugget sized pieces. Dredge in flour, then in milk, then in flour with some salt and pepper again. Fry each nugget in oil until just done. Flash freeze in a gallon ziploc bag. To Prepare: Preheat oven to 375. Bake desired amounts of nuggets until browned and done.
4. Take the last 6 pounds of chicken and divide it half. Place half the breasts in a freezer bag and cover with italian dressing. Place the other half in a freezer bag and cover with jarred salsa. To Prepare: Grill, bake, or throw in crockpot.
This should net you between 8 and 10 meals depending on how big you make your portions.
Freezer cooking is only as hard as we make it!
Four EASY Things to do with 20 Pounds of Chicken!
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2 comments:
great post. what is flash freeze? how is it done?
Great question! Flash freezing is when you lay a single layer of food, not touching each other, and uncovered, like on a cookie sheet :) The air from the freezer flows around each piece of food and thereby freezes it very quickly. You can do this with almost anything. I flash froze some whole strawberrys and put them in a gallon ziploc bag and can pour out what I want at the time of use.
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