Best Judys Chicken Recipes

ZUNI CAFé CHICKEN

Steps:

• Season the chicken 1 to 3 days before serving (for 3 1/4- to 3 1/2-pound chickens, at least 2 days): Remove and discard the lump of fat inside the chicken. Pat the chicken very dry (a wet chicken will spend too much time steaming before it begins to turn golden brown).
• Slide a finger under the skin of each of the breasts, making 2 little pockets, then use a fingertip to gently loosen a pocket of skin on the outside of the thickest section of each thigh. Push an herb sprig into each of the 4 pockets.
• Using about 3/4 teaspoon sea salt per pound of chicken and pepper to taste, season the chicken liberally all over with salt and the pepper. Sprinkle a little of the salt just inside the cavity and on the backbone. Twist and tuck the wing tips behind the shoulders. Cover loosely and refrigerate.
• When you're ready to cook the chicken, heat the oven to 475 degrees. Depending on your oven and the size of your bird, you may need to adjust the heat to as high as 500 degrees or as low as 450 degrees during roasting to brown the chicken properly.
• Choose a shallow flameproof roasting pan or dish barely larger than the chicken, or use a 10-inch skillet with an all-metal handle. Preheat the pan over medium heat. Wipe the chicken dry and set it breast side up in the pan. It should sizzle.
• Place in the center of the oven and watch for it to start sizzling and browning within 20 minutes. If it doesn't, raise the temperature progressively until it does. The skin should blister, but if the chicken begins to char, or the fat is smoking, reduce the temperature by 25 degrees. After about 30 minutes, turn the bird over (drying the bird and preheating the pan should keep the skin from sticking). Roast for another 10 to 20 minutes, depending on size, then flip back over to re-crisp the breast skin, another 5 to 10 minutes. Total oven time will be 45 minutes to 1 hour.
• Remove the chicken from the roasting pan and set on a plate. Pour the clear fat from the pan, leaving the drippings. Add about a tablespoon of water to the hot pan and swirl. Slash the stretched skin between the thighs and breasts of the chicken, then tilt the bird and plate over the roasting pan to drain the juice into the drippings. As the chicken rests, tilt the roasting pan and skim the last of the fat. Place over medium-low heat, add any juice that has collected under the chicken, and bring to a simmer. Stir and scrape.
• Cut the chicken into pieces and pour the pan drippings over the chicken.

JUDY'S CHICKEN DORITO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cut up chicken into 1 inch cubes and cook in microwave for 15 minutes or boil. drain chicken.
• Add both soup cans, 1/2 can of milk, green chilies, onion flakes, and red pepper flakes to the chicken. Combine to make your chicken mixture.
• Put handful of chips on the bottom of a 9"x13" pan and crush lightly. Scoop 1/2 of chicken mixture over chips. Spread 1/2 the cheese over chicken mixture. Add another uncrushed layer of chips. Top with another layer of the remaining chicken mixture and cheese.
• Cook for 30 minutes.

JEWISH PENICILLIN (JUDY'S CHICKEN WITH MATZOH)

Steps:

• In large stew pot, add all soup ingredients.
• Cover with water, top pot with lid and simmer until chicken falls off bone.
• Remove celery and onion.
• Bone chicken and reserve.
• Add matzoh dough to simmering broth, cooking until done*.
• Add chicken to broth: serve hot.
• *MatzohBall directions: Mix fat and eggs together.
• Add matzoh meal and salt.
• When well blended, add soup stock/water.
• Cover bowl and place in refrigerator 20 minutes.
• Into simmering soup, drop matzoh mixture by tablespoons.
• They will form balls and float to the top.
• Cover pot and cook about 20 minutes.