Parchment Baked Chicken Four Ways

I saw this recipe idea on my Facebook feed recently and it reminded me of when I was little and Mother taught me how to make “Cowboy Hamburgers” — foil pouches filled with hamburger patties, sliced potatoes, carrots and seasoning baked in the oven.  Mother told me that’s how cowboys cooked their dinner.  Cowboys probably have access to parchment paper now making this a twist on a classic.

I tried the tomato pesto chicken recently and it was really tasty — juicy and full of flavor.  The best part was no mess to clean up afterward.  Just toss the parchment in the trash afterward.  These would be perfect suppers for the busy holiday season.  I’ve provided the recipes below so you can get started on dinner tonight.  Enjoy!

TOMATO PESTO CHICKEN
INGREDIENTS
12×18 inches parchment paper or aluminium foil
1 chicken breast
5 ounces asparagus
1 roma tomato, sliced
2 tablespoons pesto
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

PREPARATION
1. Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C.
2. Fold the parchment paper in half, then open up.
3. Cut the ends of the asparagus and lay them on one half of the parchment paper.
4. Drizzle on oil and sprinkle on salt and pepper.
5. Lay the chicken on the asparagus, season with salt and pepper, and spread on the pesto. Top with tomato slices.
6. Fold the parchment paper over the chicken, and cinch the paper together by folding it over itself along the edges.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165˚F/75˚C.
8. Enjoy!

BARBEQUE
INGREDIENTS
Parchment paper or aluminium foil, 12×18 inches
1 chicken breast
1 small potato, sliced
1/4 onion, sliced
3 tablespoons barbecue sauce
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

PREPARATION
1. Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C.
2. Fold the parchment paper in half, then open up
3. Quarter the potatoes and thinly slice the onion.
3. On one half, lay down the cut potatoes, drizzle on oil and sprinkle on salt & pepper.
4. Lay the chicken on the potatoes, season with salt and pepper and spread on the barbecue sauce. Top with sliced onions.
5. Fold the parchment paper over the chicken, and cinch the paper together by folding it over itself along the edges.
6. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165˚F/75˚C.
7. Enjoy!

GARLIC PARMESAN CHICKEN
INGREDIENTS
Parchment paper or aluminium foil, 12×18 inches
1 chicken breast
1/2 zucchini, sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons parmesan
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

PREPARATION
1. Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C.
2. Fold the parchment paper in half, then open up.
3. Slice the zucchini into rounds and lay them on one half of the parchment paper.
4. Mix the minced garlic and butter in a small bowl and spoon half of the garlic butter on top of the zucchini. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
5. Lay the chicken on the zucchini, season with salt and pepper and spoon on the rest of the garlic butter. Top with parmesan.
6. Fold the parchment paper over the chicken, and cinch the paper together by folding it over itself along the edges.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165˚F/75˚C.
8. Enjoy!

FAJITA CHICKEN
INGREDIENTS
Parchment paper or aluminium foil, 12×18 inches
1 chicken breast
1/2 red pepper, sliced
1/2 yellow pepper sliced
1/4 red onion, sliced
3 tablespoons salsa
1 tablespoon Mexican cheese blend
1 tablespoon olive oil
Salt, to taste
Pepper, to taste

PREPARATION
1. Preheat oven to 400°F/200°C.
2. Fold the parchment paper in half, then open up.
3. Thinly Slice the peppers and onion and lay them on one half of the parchment paper.
4. Drizzle on oil and sprinkle on salt & pepper.
5. Lay the chicken on the peppers, season with salt and pepper, and spoon on salsa. Top with cheese.
6. Fold the parchment paper over the chicken, and cinch the paper together by folding it over itself along the edges.
7. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165˚F/75˚C.
8. Enjoy!