Best Chicken Grits Recipes

SPICY OVEN-FRIED CHICKEN WITH CHEESE GRITS AND CHORIZO REDUCTION

Steps:

• Pour buttermilk and hot sauce into a large bowl or zip-top bag; mix well. Add chicken and marinate for 4 hours to overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Place a wire rack on top of a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray.
• Combine bread crumbs, flour, paprika, salt, garlic powder, black pepper, onion powder, oregano, thyme, and chili powder in a bowl. Remove chicken from marinade and dredge in crumb mixture. Place coated chicken onto the prepared wire rack.
• Bake in the preheated oven until no longer pink in the centers and juices run clear, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add milk, water, salt, and pepper to a large saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat to low and add grits. Cook, covered, for 20 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent clumping. Remove from heat and add Mexican cheese and butter; stir until well incorporated and creamy.
• While chicken and grits are cooking, cook chorizo, onion, bell pepper, and jalapeno in a large skillet over medium-high heat until meat is browned and vegetables are tender, 5 to 7 minutes. Drain grease from the skillet. Stir in garlic and continue to cook over medium-high heat until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• Stir cherry tomatoes, vegetable broth, Worcestershire sauce, and hot sauce into the skillet, reduce heat to low, and let simmer until reduced, stirring as needed, about 15 minutes. Add heavy cream; let simmer and continue to reduce until sauce coats a spoon, about 5 minutes more.
• Place grits into a bowl, top with chorizo reduction sauce, and top with spicy fried chicken. Garnish with Cotija cheese.

CHICKEN-SAUSAGE AND ASPARAGUS SAUTE OVER CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Cook sausage until browned, tossing occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes; transfer to a plate. Reduce heat to medium. Cook onion until softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add asparagus, thyme, and 1/3 cup water. Cover, and steam until asparagus is just tender and water has evaporated, about 6 minutes. Add sausage and lemon juice; toss. Season with salt and pepper. Remove from heat.
• In a small saucepan, bring 1 cup salted water to a boil; gradually whisk in grits. Reduce heat to low; cook, stirring frequently, until thickened, about 6 minutes. Stir in cheese; season with salt and pepper. Serve sausage and asparagus over grits.

CHICKEN WITH PARMESAN GRITS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat a medium skillet over medium-high. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to skillet, skin side down, and cook, turning occasionally, until browned and cooked through, about 15 minutes (reduce heat if chicken browns too quickly). Transfer to a plate and tent with foil. In skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium and add tomatoes, onion, and garlic. Cook until tomatoes are softened and onion is tender, 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a small pot, bring 1 cup water to boil. Stir in grits and pinch of salt; cover, reduce heat to low, and cook until water is absorbed, about 7 minutes. Stir in Parmesan and 1/2 teaspoon oil; season with salt and pepper. To serve, top grits with chicken and vegetables and sprinkle with parsley.

FRIED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CHEESY GRITS

Steps:

• Chicken:
• Combine buttermilk, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and paprika in a large bowl or large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken thighs, cover bowl or seal bag, and toss to coat. Chill at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours.
• Grits:
• Bring 4 cups salted water to a boil and gradually add grits, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking occasionally, until grits are very tender and creamy, 25-30 minutes. Add cream cheese and Parmesan; whisk until melted and incorporated; season with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm until ready to serve.
• Frying and assembly:
• Whisk flour, cayenne, garlic powder, paprika, and 2 tsp. salt in a medium bowl.
• Remove chicken thighs from brine, letting excess drip off. Working in batches, dredge chicken in flour mixture, occasionally dipping your fingers in brine as you pack on flour to help create moistened, shaggy bits (the makings of a super-crisp crust); transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.
• Fit a large cast-iron skillet with thermometer and heat oil until thermometer registers 350°F. Working in batches and returning oil to 350°F between batches, fry chicken thighs, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and coating is deep golden brown and crisp, 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack set inside a baking sheet and let sit while you cook the kale.
• Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add kale in large handfuls, letting it cook down slightly before adding more and tossing to coat. Season with salt and pepper and cook, tossing occasionally, until wilted and bright green, about 2 minutes. Add vinegar and 1 Tbsp. pepper jelly and toss to coat.
• Divide grits evenly among bowls and top with kale, fried chicken, and more pepper jelly.

SHREDDED BARBECUE CHICKEN OVER GRITS

Steps:

• Sprinkle chicken with pepper; place in a large nonstick skillet., In a large bowl, combine 1 cup broth, barbecue sauce, molasses, chili pepper and cinnamon; pour over chicken. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes or until a thermometer reads 165°. Shred meat with 2 forks and return to the skillet., Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, bring water and remaining broth to a boil. Slowly stir in grits and pumpkin. Reduce heat; cook and stir for 5-7 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cheese until melted., Divide grits among 6 serving bowls; top each with 1/2 cup chicken mixture. Serve with tomato, sour cream, green onions and cilantro.

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH CREAMY GRITS AND SHIITAKE MUSHROOM SAUCE

Steps:

• Make chicken:
• Mix oil, garlic and rosemary in 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Add to oil mixture; turn to coat. Cover and refrigerate chicken at least 4 hours or overnight, turning occasionally.
• Make sauce:
• Boil both stocks and wine in heavy medium saucepan until reduced to 1 cup, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Cook pancetta in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat until crisp and golden, stirring constantly, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer pancetta to bowl. Add mushrooms to same skillet and saut until golden, about 4 minutes. Add stock mixture and cream to skillet and simmer until reduced to sauce consistency, about 5 minutes. Mix in pancetta and sage. Season to taste with pepper.
• Meanwhile, prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Remove chicken from marinade. Grill until cooked through, turning occasionally, about 30 minutes.
• Spoon grits onto plates. Place chicken atop grits. Spoon sauce over; serve.

DEEP-FRIED CHICKEN WITH CHEDDAR CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• For the chicken: Fill a large heavy-bottomed high-sided skillet with enough oil to come 1/3 of the way up the sides. Place over medium heat.
• Set up a breading station by whisking together the eggs, buttermilk and hot sauce in 1 pie plate or baking dish, and stirring together the fish fry mix and Cajun seasoning in another. Dip each chicken breast in the egg mixture, and then press into the fish fry mixture, making sure it gets completely coated. Set aside while the oil is heating.
• When the oil reaches about 365 degrees F, carefully place the chicken into the oil. Fry in 2 batches so that the pot does not get overcrowded. Fry until just cooked through, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oil and drain on a tray lined with paper towels.
• For the grits: In medium pot, heat the milk to a simmer over medium heat. Whisk in the butter. Whisk in the grits and continue to whisk until thickened. Mix in 1/2 cup cheese and continue to stir until the cheese is melted and incorporated. Remove from the heat, sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon of the remaining cheese and serve along with the fried chicken.

CURRIED CHICKEN AND GRITS CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Bring water, 1 cup broth and salt to a boil in a large saucepan. Slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat; cook and stir 5-6 minutes or until thickened. Remove from heat; stir a small amount of grits into eggs. Return all to pan, stirring constantly. Add 1-1/2 cups cheese and butter; stir until melted., Preheat oven to 350°. Combine soup, mayonnaise, curry powder and remaining broth in a large bowl. Add vegetable blend, chicken and potatoes; toss to coat. Transfer to a greased 13x9-in. baking dish. Top with grits; sprinkle with remaining cheese., Bake, uncovered, 50-55 minutes or until heated through.

BBQ CHICKEN AND CHEESE GRITS BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray.
• In 3-quart saucepan, heat water and salt to boiling. Slowly stir in grits; reduce heat to medium. Cover; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Add pepper Jack cheese and butter, stirring until melted and smooth. Pour into baking dish.
• In medium bowl, mix chicken and barbecue sauce. Spoon chicken mixture over grits. Sprinkle with cheese blend.
• Bake uncovered 20 to 25 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes. Sprinkle with onions. Top individual servings with salsa.

SHRIMP & CHICKEN SAUSAGE WITH GRITS

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring water to a boil. Slowly stir in grits. Reduce heat; cook and stir for 5-7 minutes or until thickened. Stir in cream cheese until melted., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, brown sausage in 1 teaspoon oil. Remove and keep warm., In the same pan, heat remaining oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and half of the green onions; cook and stir for 1 minute. Stir in flour until blended; gradually whisk in broth and milk. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened., Stir in shrimp and sausage; cook for 3-5 minutes or until shrimp turn pink. Serve with grits; top with tomato and remaining green onion.

BBQ CHICKEN AND GRITS (OR RICE) CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Set aside.
• In large saucepan, heat water and salt to boiling. Slowly stir in grits; reduce heat to medium. Cover; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat
• In medium bowl, mix chicken and barbecue sauce. Spoon chicken mixture over grits.
• Top with bacon pieces and 1 cup cheddar cheese
• Bake for 20 - 25 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with chopped green onions. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

BBQ CHICKEN GRITS BITES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. Grease 30 mini-muffin cups., In a large saucepan, bring milk to a boil. Slowly stir in grits, salt and pepper. Reduce heat to medium-low; cook, covered, until thickened, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in half of the cheese. Spoon 1 tablespoon mixture into each prepared muffin cup., In a bowl, mix preserves and barbecue sauce; toss with chicken. Spoon about 1 teaspoon chicken mixture into each cup; press lightly into grits., Bake until heated through, 15-20 minutes. Top with remaining cheese; sprinkle with green onions. Cool 5 minutes before removing from pans. Serve warm.

CHICKEN CREOLE OVER GARLIC CHEESE GRITS RECIPE

Steps:

• Make a roux by combining 1/2 c. flour with 1/2 c. vegetable oil in bottom of Dutch oven. Stir constantly over medium heat until roux is caramel in color. Add onion, garlic and bell pepper; saute about 5 minutes. Add chicken broth, tomato sauce and bayleaves. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Combine remaining 1/4 cup flour, thyme, oregano. cayenne, garlic powder, pepper and salt in a large Ziploc bag. Add chicken pieces in batches, shaking to coat. Brown chicken batches and add to roux mixture. Cover and simmer over low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove bay leaves. Serve over cheese grits. Serves 8. Cheese Grits: In a large pot, bring water to a boil and add salt and grits. Return to a boil, then reduce heat, cover and simmer about 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Cube cheese and add to grits, stirring until cheese is melted. Yields 8 cups.

INSTANT POT BBQ CHICKEN AND GRITS DUMP DINNER

Steps:

• Place the collard greens into the bottom of a 6-quart Instant Pot®. Pour 1 cup water over the greens. Nestle the chicken snugly in an even layer in the collard greens. Sprinkle the chicken with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and several grinds of black pepper. Pour the barbecue sauce over the chicken. Lightly lay a 12-by-12-inch piece of aluminum foil over the chicken, leaving excess on the sides sticking up to make it easy to lift out later.
• Add the grits and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a 7-inch round cake pan (or similar disposable aluminum cake pan). Stir in 2 cups water. Gently place the pan on top of the aluminum foil. Place the blocks of Cheddar in the grits.
• Follow the manufacturer's guide for locking the lid and preparing to cook. Set to pressure cook on high for 10 minutes. After the pressure-cook cycle is complete, follow the manufacturer's guide for quick release and wait until the quick-release cycle is complete. Being careful of any remaining steam, unlock and remove the lid.
• Carefully lift the pan of grits out of the pot. Add the butter and stir to combine until fluffy and creamy. Season with salt.
• Lift the aluminum foil out of the pot, making sure to collect any liquid that may have spilled from the grits, and discard. Use tongs to remove the chicken and collard greens from the pot. Discard the remaining cooking liquid. Drizzle the chicken with some barbecue sauce and serve with the collard greens and cheesy grits.

CIDER BRAISED CHICKEN OVER SMOKED CHEDDAR GRITS

Steps:

• In large skillet over medium high heat, place 2 tablespoons olive oil.
• Add chicken and cook about 3 minutes per side, until browned. Remove to 9x12-inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray.
• In small bowl, whisk together apple cider, thyme, garlic salt and honey; pour over chicken.
• Place in 350°F oven and bake about 45 minutes or until fork tender. In large skillet, heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium high heat.
• Add onions and saute about 3 minutes or until transparent.
• Reduce heat to low, cover and cook 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove lid and continue cooking about 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed.
• In medium saucepan, place water and bring to rapid boil.
• Stir in grits, reduce heat to medium low and cover. Cook about 5 minutes or until thickened, stirring occasionally.
• Reduce heat to low; stir in butter and cheese and continue stirring until melted. Cover and remove from heat.
• To serve, place equal amounts of grits in 4 shallow bowls. Top with onion mixture and 2 chicken thighs. Garnish with thyme sprigs. Makes 4 servings.

CHICKEN WITH SLOW-ROASTED TOMATOES AND CREAMY CHEESE GRITS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. On a rimmed baking sheet, toss the tomatoes with 2 tablespoons of the oil and season with salt and pepper. Turn the tomatoes cut side down and scatter the rosemary around; bake on bottom shelf of the oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until very soft and starting to brown. Let cool, then discard the skins. Meanwhile, in a roasting pan, rub the chicken all over with 1 tablespoon of the oil and season with salt and pepper. Scatter the onion wedges around the chicken, drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast the chicken and onions in the upper third of the oven for 1 hour and 10 minutes. Increase the oven temperature to 450 degrees. Add the wine to the pan and roast the chicken for about 20 minutes longer, until onions are well browned, chicken is golden, and cavity juices run clear. Pour the cavity juices into the pan, then transfer the chicken and onions to a platter; let the chicken rest for 10 minutes. Set the roasting pan over moderately high heat and add 4 of the tomato halves and ½ cup of water. Simmer, scraping up any browned bits and mashing the tomatoes, until reduced by one-third. Strain the jus into a saucepan and season with salt and pepper. Carve the chicken and serve with the tomatoes, onions, tomato jus, and Creamy Cheese Grits. Serves 4. Grits: In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add a pinch of salt and gradually whisk in the grits. Cover and cook over low heat, whisking often, until the grits are thick and just tender, about 25 minutes. Stir in the butter and cheese, season with salt and pepper, and serve.

CHICKEN WITH GRITS

Steps:

• Bring water and salt to a boil in a medium saucepan; stir in grits and cook according to package directions.
• Spoon grits into a greased 9-inch square baking pan; cover and chill until firm.
• Rub chicken breasts with the ground cumin.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add chicken and cook, turning, for about 12 minutes, or until brown and fork tender.
• Remove chicken from skillet and drain on paper towels; cover and keep warm.
• Invert baking pan to remove grits. Cut into 4 squares, then cut each square diagonally into 2 triangles.
• In same skillet, heat pan drippings to medium temperature.
• Add grits and sauté, turning once, about 5 minutes or until lightly brown.
• To serve:.
• Cut each chicken breast into slices.
• Place chicken slices from one breast half on each serving plate with 2 grits cakes on the side.
• Spoon Spicy Southern Salsa over the grits cakes.
• Spicy Southern Salsa.
• 1 cup corn kernels, cooked and drained.
• 1 cup black-eyed peas, cooked and drained.
• 1 medium tomato, seeded and chopped.
• 1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded, diced.
• 1/4 cup chopped green onions.
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh basil.
• 1 small jalapeno, seeded and finely minced.
• 1 clove garlic, minced.
• 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper.

SPICED RUBBED ROASTED CHICKEN WITH PUMPKIN-SAGE GRITS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400ºF.
• Combine first 3 ingredients. Place chicken in 13x9-inch pan sprayed with cooking spray; brush with oil, then rub with cinnamon mixture.
• Bake 20 min. or until chicken is done (165ºF).
• Meanwhile, bring water to boil in medium saucepan. Stir in grits. Add pumpkin and sage; mix well. Bring to boil; simmer on medium-low heat 5 to 7 min. or until thickened, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in cheese.
• Serve chicken with grits.

TRINIDADIAN CHICKEN CURRY WITH COCONUT GRITS & COLLARD GREENS

Steps:

• Prep - Wash and dry the fresh produce. In a medium pot, combine the coconut milk (shaking the can before opening), a big pinch of salt and 1½ cups of water; heat to boiling on high. Using a peeler, remove the green rind of the lime, avoiding the white pith; mince the rind to get 2 teaspoons of zest (or use a zester). Quarter the lime. Peel and mince the garlic. Remove and discard the collard green stems; thinly slice the leaves. Pick the cilantro leaves off the stems; discard the stems. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and chop into bite-sized pieces; place in a bowl. Season the chopped chicken with salt, pepper and the spice blend; toss to coat.
• Make the coconut grits - Slowly add the grits to the pot of boiling coconut milk and water, whisking to break up any clumps. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, whisking occasionally, 10 to 12 minutes, or until thickened and tender. (If the grits seem too thick, gradually add up to ¼ cup of water to achieve your desired consistency.) Remove from heat. Add the lime zest and half the butter; whisk until thoroughly combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and set aside in a warm place.
• Toast the coconut flakes - While the coconut grits simmer, heat a medium, dry pan (nonstick, if you have one) on medium until hot. Add the coconut flakes and toast, stirring frequently, 3 to 5 minutes, or until golden brown. Transfer to a plate. Wipe out the pan.
• Cook the collard greens - While the coconut grits continue to simmer, in the pan used to toast the coconut flakes, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the garlic and collard greens; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 4 minutes, or until the garlic is fragrant and the collard greens have wilted. Transfer to a plate and set aside in a warm place. Wipe out the pan.
• Cook the chicken - In the pan used to cook the collard greens, heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 7 minutes, or until browned and cooked through. Turn off the heat. Add the remaining butter, the juice of 2 lime wedges and 1 tablespoon of water; stir until thoroughly combined, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Plate - Divide the coconut grits between 2 bowls. Top with the cooked collard greens and cooked chicken. Garnish with the toasted coconut flakes, cilantro and remaining lime wedges. Enjoy!

FRIED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH CHEESY GRITS

Steps:

• Combine buttermilk, cayenne, garlic powder, salt, and paprika in a large bowl or large resealable plastic bag. Add chicken thighs, cover bowl or seal bag, and toss to coat. Chill at least 2 hours and up to 12 hours.
• Bring 4 cups salted water to a boil and gradually add grits, whisking constantly. Cook, whisking occasionally, until grits are very tender and creamy, 25-30 minutes. Add cream cheese and Parmesan; whisk until melted and incorporated; season with salt and pepper. Cover and keep warm until ready to serve.
• Whisk flour, cayenne, garlic powder, paprika, and 2 tsp. salt in a medium bowl.
• Remove chicken thighs from brine, letting excess drip off. Working in batches, dredge chicken in flour mixture, occasionally dipping your fingers in brine as you pack on flour to help create moistened, shaggy bits (the makings of a super-crisp crust); transfer to a rimmed baking sheet.
• Fit a large cast-iron skillet with thermometer and heat oil until thermometer registers 350°. Working in batches and returning oil to 350° between batches, fry chicken thighs, turning occasionally, until chicken is cooked through and coating is deep golden brown and crisp, 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack set inside a baking sheet and let sit while you cook the kale.
• Heat butter in a large skillet over medium-high. Add kale in large handfuls, letting it cook down slightly before adding more and tossing to coat. Season with salt and pepper and cook, tossing occasionally, until wilted and bright green, about 2 minutes. Add vinegar and 1 Tbsp. pepper jelly and toss to coat.
• Divide grits evenly among bowls and top with kale, fried chicken, and more pepper jelly.