Toasted Garlic Chicken and Rice

Step 1

1 Set a large platter near the stove

Step 2

2 Pat the chicken dry and lightly season it with salt and pepper

Step 3

3 In a large, nonstick skillet over high heat, heat the olive oil until shimmering

Step 4

4 Add the chicken pieces in one layer, cooking in batches if necessary, and cook, stirring, until cooked through and browned, about 6 minutes

Step 5

5 Transfer to the platter, and cover with another platter or the lid of a pot to keep warm

Step 6

6 Add the spinach to the skillet and cook, stirring frequently, until just wilted, about 2 minutes

Step 7

7 Transfer to the platter with the chicken

Step 8

8 Reduce the heat to medium-high, add the butter and garlic and cook, stirring frequently, until just lightly brown, about 1 minute

Step 9

9 Add the rice and stir until garlic is mixed in

Step 10

10 Increase the heat to high, spread the rice on the bottom of the pan and cook without moving until the rice just begins to crisp on the bottom, about 3 minutes

Step 11

11 Transfer the spinach and chicken to the skillet and lightly toss together until well mixed

Step 12

12 Taste, and add more butter, salt and pepper, as needed

Step 13

13 Divide among four plates or shallow bowls and top each bowl with the Parmesan, serving more Parmesan tableside, if desired

Step 14

14 NOTES: If you need to make a fresh batch of rice, for 2 cups of cooked long-grain white rice, rinse 3/4 cup of rice until the water runs clear

Step 15

15 Then, place it in a medium, lidded saucepan over medium-high heat

Step 16

16 Add 1 teaspoon olive oil and stir to coat the rice

Step 17

17 Add 1 1/2 cups of water, a pinch of salt, if desired, and bring to a boil

Step 18

18 Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer until the rice is tender and the water is absorbed, 10 to 15 minutes

Step 19

19 To peel a whole head of garlic, remove the papery outer skin and separate the cloves

Step 20

20 Then, try one of these methods

Step 21

21 Shake them: Place the cloves in a large, clean, dry jar with a lid (such as an empty pickle jar) — or put the cloves in a metal bowl, invert a bowl of equal size over the top and hold the bowls together where the rims meet

Step 22

22 Shake vigorously for 15 to 20 seconds

Step 23

23 If any still have skins, repeat the process with those

Step 24

24 You still may have to then peel a few, but most should shake loose from their skins

Step 25

25 This method works best with slightly older, drier heads of garlic

Step 26

26 For fresher or stubborn garlic, you may have to snip off the end of each clove where it was attached at the root

Step 27

27 These two methods will result in slightly softened the garlic

Step 28

28 Heat them: Place the cloves on a plate in your microwave and cook on HIGH for about 15 seconds

Step 29

29 Remove and allow to cool for a few minutes

Step 30

30 The skins should then easily release

Step 31

31 If not, give them another 5-second blast in the microwave

Step 32

32 Soak them: For this method, you cut the end of each clove where it was attached to the root

Step 33

33 Put a kettle on to boil water

Step 34

34 In a large bowl, add the cloves and cover with boiling water and let sit for 5 minutes, or until skins begin to loosen

Step 35

35 Drain, let cool and then peel