I’m sort of a pyromaniac especially when I’m camping. I love candles, watching fire, tending fires and occasionally creating really big bonfires. All with safety in mind of course. Fortunately, I’ve never had a close call or anything similar. A cautious pyromaniac potentially. The closest was when I was camping with a good friend, years ago, and went hunting for firewood early in the morning while she was still sleeping. I found the largest most incredible dead log that was begging to be dragged back to our firepit. I placed that log, which my friend and I affectionately named ‘Jackpot Billionare’ in the fire pit. The campsite across from us, with two similarly aged wanna-be hunks, saw our log and decided they needed to out fire pit us. They spent the whole day gathering firewood and created a pile that probably envied the tower of Babel. Come dusk, they lit that pile hungrily, watching our firepit and expecting us to follow suit. Within minutes, the forest ranger hauled ass to their campsite and kicked them out faster than they could say two words. As soon as the boys were gone, the rangers came over to our campsite, noticed our Jackpot Billionaire and with some pointed questioning, made sure that our giant log stayed far away from the fire. We had a small fire that night, just enough to stay warm and cook a smore or two. Amazing how a vinyl album cover can unearth a memory like this. When I pulled out Pyromania, this memory is exactly what came to mind.
This past Sunday evening, I was feeling sort of low, maybe the rain, maybe it was just a case of the Mondays impending. I had picked out Pyromania and instantly started to feel more upbeat. A fond memory of camping in warmer weather will do that do but what song titled Rock Rock (Till You Drop) isn’t going to get you moving and grooving? I love the interplay of heavy guitar riffs and glam rock that this album has going on, perfect for some impromptu air guitar to ensure that your glass starts the week off half full.
Thats really how the combo of this Pyromania album and the spicy roasted chicken came together. I wanted an easy dish for Sunday night, I wanted my mood lifted and with Pyromania, knew the dish had to have heat. Oh boy, does this one pan dinner!
This recipe is a perfect Sunday evening dish. Anyone else want the occasional Sunday night meal with minimal fuss and maximum deliciousness? No? Just me? Hmmm. I’ve been looking for an easy, healthy, tasty dish that ends the weekend with a bang. Why not end Sunday night with some pizazz and ummpfh? It is also obviously a night that you don’t always want to spend a ton of time in the kitchen, don’t want to spend eons cleaning up and ideally, would have some leftovers for lunches the next few days. This recipe hits all of those chords.
I’ve also realized that when I start my week strong, with good food, a solid workout and some high energy music, my mood is markedly improved. I may have hinted that I really love the 80’s for music. I can be in a blue, low mood and if my hubby starts playing some 80’s music, I’m suddenly dancing like Kevin Bacon in Footloose. On your next low mood evening, when you are shorter on time or patience for spending time in the kitchen, put this album on your turntable and set your dinner table for some spicy chicken with just a hint of crunch from the garbanzo beans, savory with just the right notes.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup avocado oil (because of the oven temp, I went with a higher smoke point oil)
- 4 garlic cloves, pressed
- 2 tablespoon aleppo pepper
- 2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
- 1 cup plain yogurt or Greek yogurt
- 4 chicken breast halves with bones
- 2 15-ounce can garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained
- 2 12-ounce container cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup chopped fresh cilantro, divided
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450°. Mix your first 5 ingredients in medium bowl.
- Pour 1 teaspoon of the spiced oil mixture into small bowl; whisk in yogurt and set aside for sauce.
- Place chicken on large rimmed baking sheet. Rub 1 tablespoons spiced oil mixture over each chicken breast.
- Add garbanzo beans, tomatoes, and 1/2 cup cilantro to remaining spiced oil mixture; toss to coat. Pour bean mixture around chicken. Sprinkle everything generously with salt and pepper.
- Roast until chicken is cooked through, about 30 minutes and when chicken temps at 145 degrees*. Let rest 15 minutes. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cilantro. Transfer chicken to plates. Spoon bean mixture over. Serve with yogurt sauce.
I’ve adapted the above recipe from the delicious Bon Appetit. Here is the original: https://www.bonappetit.com/recipe/roast-chicken-breasts-with-garbanzo-beans-tomatoes-and-paprika
Notes:
145 degrees for chicken breast?! Am I giving you salmonella? No. IF you are that worried about it, take it to 165, but don’t cry to me when your breast is overdone. Curious why 145? Check out this article, which is really meant for food geeks (like me!) http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/07/the-food-lab-complete-guide-to-sous-vide-chicken-breast.html#safe