HERB-FRIED CHICKEN


1 1/2 lbs. boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup milk

COATING MIXTURE
1/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon sage
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon marjoram
1 teaspoon oregano

1 Tbsp. Canola oil
1 Tbsp. butter

Pound chicken breasts to flatten or cut horizontal if breasts are too thick.  Soak chicken in milk while mixing the the herbs and flour. Mix the flour and herbs in a large plastic resealable bag and shake well to blend. Shake excess milk from chicken and place in resealable bag one piece at a time.  Shake bag until chicken is well coated.  Melt butter with the olive oil over medium heat. Turn heat to medium-high and place chicken in the skillet.

Brown chicken 3 minutes on one side then flip chicken over and brown the other side for about 3 minutes.    Flip chicken over one more time; cover and reduce heat, cook chicken for 15-20 additional minutes or until cooked through.

-SIDE DISH-

LEMON CREAM ORZO WITH SPINACH

2 cups orzo pasta
2 tsp. chicken base
2-3 cups fresh spinach, chopped fine
1 (3 oz.) package of cream cheese
1/3 cup milk
1 lemon
1/2 tsp. grated lemon peel
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

Bring a medium pot of water to a boil. Add chicken base to the water.  When water boils, add pasta and spinach at the same time and cook according to pasta instructions  Drain orzo/spinach and leave in the colander while preparing the sauce.  Using the same pot, melt cream cheese over low heat slowing adding the milk.  Stir in the juice of 1 lemon, grated lemon peel,  and salt & pepper. Stir through to combine adding a little more milk if  necessary to get a creamy sauce. 

Pour orzo back into the pan and stir gently until well coated with sauce.