Key Lime Chicken






When I drive down Roosevelt Road at dusk, I roll the windows of my car down so I can hear the chorus of spring peepers and bullfrogs and other night creatures. No matter how cold, no matter how rainy, I want to hear this song, this celebration of my favorite season.

When I was a child, I'd sit on our back steps on April nights, one ear cocked for the sound of robins, the other taking in the sounds of post-supper cleanup in the kitchen and the boys playing baseball in Olson's empty lot three doors away. The clatter of pots and pans, the thwack of the bat against the ball: These were the sounds of spring evenings.

The smell of earth, newly released from winter's grasp was sensual, fertile, waiting. The color of the sky was azure turning to salmon.

I loved it. And the warmer days that followed.

Saturday was such a day, with everyone turned out with rakes and brooms and yard waste bins.

On these days, I seek certain food: seafood, tomatoes, citrus fruits. Like key limes.

Key Lime Chicken

  • 3-4 boneless chicken breasts
  • 2 garlic cloves, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 teaspoon key lime peel, grated
  • 2 tablespoon key lime juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ginger, ground
  • 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1 orange, sliced
In small bowl, combine lime peel, lime juice, ginger, and red pepper. Set aside.

Rinse chicken; pat dry. Brown chicken and garlic in a skillet with margarine, turning chicken frequently to ensure even browning and cooking.

Slice oranges while chicken is browning. Add lime juice mixture and orange slices to skillet. Cook for 3-4 minutes until chicken is thoroughly cooked.

I served this with a small green salad, rice and mango chutney. Green beans are another side dish that would pair well with this chicken.


This was adapted from a recipe I found on Everyday Health.

Comments

The peepers are back in Rhode Island, too, along with the robins, and an unbelievable number of wild turkeys. Spring has sprung!
Unknown said…
WIld turkeys! I get them in my yard some times, but have not seen any yet this spring. This is prime time for turkeys, Lydia - but we've got snow on the way...
MaryRuth said…
OOOOh Mimi, that looks great!
I miss the robin's song--so pretty to hear on a spring day. The birds here are just noisy.
Unknown said…
MaryRuth, I was just thinking that the cuckoos are back in the Lot Valley. I would like to hear them now, too.
Christine said…
Our peepers are peeping also but it's still cold here even with the sun shining.
I love your chicken recipe!
Unknown said…
Christine, it is still very cold here, too. We're expecting temps in the 20 and 30s and snow over the next few days. Our winter is already 5.5 months old!

Poor little peepers...
Katie Zeller said…
Gorgeous chicken! I love key limes...
I just realized that I haven't raked since we left the midwest! With no heavy frost or serious snow it's just not needed. I always rather liked raking - that first spring project...
Unknown said…
We seem to rake all year long here, what with the hill and four maple trees, not to mention the cedar, chestnut and flowering crab...But oh, it is lovely in fall and spring!
Julie said…
Oh Mimi what a great looking and delicious sounding recipe, I think I'm going to try this.
Unknown said…
Thanks, Julie! I liked that it was simple and fast.
Zoomie said…
Know just what you mean about the wonderful peepers and robins! Great spring sounds. But I don't miss the raking!
Unknown said…
Zoomie, I love those sounds, and I often sleep with my window open so I can hear them as we live near the river and a wetland. Sometimes a stray bullfrog will hunker down in my garden for the night - oh, such a heavenly sound!
Jann said…
The chicken looks wonderful and such a splash of Spring you have thrown in there! At last, winter is closed for the season~hope you have been well! Will work on catching up on your past blogs, have missed reading your wonderful words.....
Unknown said…
Jann! I was just wondering what you were up to, as I had not seen any posts recently!

Missed you!
Mimi that is a knock out photo!!
I can't wait for the toads to start their singing in our backyard!!
Anonymous said…
I can't wait to make this one! Sounds delicious.
And - I love the name "spring peppers". I know exactly the sounds you are talking about!
Unknown said…
Thanks, Tanna. I am trying to make my photos more interesting. It snowed overnight, but my little bird friends are out there sining to cheer me up. It works!

Kristen, I wonder what those poor little peepers do when it snows?

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