5 Pioneer Woman Chicken Recipes You Must Try

Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy

Chicken Fried Steak is a beloved comfort food that Ree Drummond, famously known as The Pioneer Woman, has perfected over the years. This dish involves tenderizing a piece of beef steak, breading it, and then frying it until crispy. The gravy, which is smooth and savory, complements the crispy steak to make this a heart-warming meal.

Ingredients

• 1 ¹⁄₂ lbs. cube steak
• ¹⁄₂ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. seasoning salt
• ¹⁄₄ tsp. garlic powder
• ¹⁄₄ tsp. cayenne pepper
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 ¹⁄₂ cups vegetable oil for frying
• ¹⁄₄ cup unsalted butter
• ¹⁄₄ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 cups milk
• salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Tenderize: Pound the cube steaks until they’re about ¹⁄₄ inch thick.
2. Prepare the Breadcrumbs: Mix flour, seasoning salt, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in a shallow dish.
3. Set Up Breading Station: In another dish, whisk together eggs and milk.
4. Coat the Steak: Dredge each steak in the flour mixture, then dip in the egg mixture, and again in the flour mixture for a double coating.
5. Fry: Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Fry each steak until they are golden brown on both sides, about 3 to 5 minutes per side. Place on paper towels to drain.
6. Make Gravy: In the same skillet, melt butter and whisk in the flour to create a roux. Slowly add milk, whisking constantly to prevent lumps. Cook until the gravy thickens, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Serve: Serve the steak topped with the warm gravy.

💡 Note: For a smoother gravy, strain it through a fine mesh strainer to remove any flour lumps.

Chicken Spaghetti

Chicken Spaghetti combines the heartiness of baked pasta with the classic flavors of cream of chicken soup, cheese, and rotisserie chicken, making it a perfect family dinner option.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked shredded chicken
• 1 lb. spaghetti, cooked al dente
• 1 can cream of chicken soup
• 1 can cream of mushroom soup
• 1 cup chicken broth
• ¹⁄₄ tsp. garlic powder
• ¹⁄₂ cup diced green bell pepper
• ¹⁄₂ cup diced onion
• 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup crushed potato chips

Instructions

1. Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Mix: In a large bowl, combine the cooked spaghetti, soups, chicken broth, garlic powder, bell pepper, onion, and half of the shredded cheese.
3. Add Chicken: Fold in the shredded chicken.
4. Transfer: Pour the mixture into a greased 9x13 inch baking dish.
5. Top: Sprinkle the remaining cheese on top, followed by crushed potato chips for a crunchy texture.
6. Bake: Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until bubbly and the cheese is melted.

🚫 Note: If you prefer a lighter version, substitute half of the soup with a low-fat variety or additional chicken broth.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

The Pioneer Woman’s Chicken Tortilla Soup is bursting with flavors from vibrant spices, juicy chicken, and tortillas for a comforting yet zesty experience.

Ingredients

• 2 whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 cup diced onion
• ¹⁄₄ cup diced green bell pepper
• ¹⁄₄ cup diced red bell pepper
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 can (10 oz.) diced tomatoes with chiles
• 32 oz. low-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• ¹⁄₂ tsp. garlic powder
• 1 can (15 oz.) black beans, rinsed
• 1 can (15 oz.) whole corn kernels, drained
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
• Crushed tortilla chips, avocado slices, and shredded cheese for garnish

Instructions

1. Cook Chicken: In a large pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and cook until browned on both sides. Remove from the pot and set aside.
2. Sauté Veggies: In the same pot, add onion, bell peppers, and garlic. Cook until vegetables are tender.
3. Add Ingredients: Add tomatoes, chicken broth, spices, beans, corn, and lime juice. Bring to a boil.
4. Shred and Return: Shred the chicken and return it to the pot.
5. Simmer: Let the soup simmer for 20 minutes.
6. Garnish and Serve: Serve the soup with tortilla chips, avocado slices, and a sprinkle of cheese.

Chicken Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan, or Chicken Parmigiana, is a dish beloved for its crispy, cheesy exterior, and this version by The Pioneer Woman delivers that perfectly.

Ingredients

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 cup Italian breadcrumbs
• ¹⁄₂ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 3 cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella
• Fresh basil leaves
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions

1. Prepare Chicken: Slice the chicken breasts in half horizontally to create thinner pieces.
2. Coat: Set up three shallow dishes: one with flour seasoned with salt and pepper, one with eggs beaten with milk, and one with breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan cheese. Dip each chicken piece into flour, then egg mixture, then breadcrumbs.
3. Fry: Heat oil in a large skillet and fry chicken until golden brown on both sides. Transfer to a baking dish.
4. Assemble: Spoon marinara sauce over each piece of chicken, then top with mozzarella cheese.
5. Bake: Bake at 375°F for 20 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and slightly browned.
6. Garnish and Serve: Garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.

Pizza Chicken

Pizza Chicken is a playful twist on both pizza and chicken, blending the flavors of both in one delectable dish.

Ingredients

• 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 ¹⁄₂ cups marinara sauce
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¹⁄₄ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Pepperoni slices
• Sliced black olives, bell peppers, onions, or any other pizza toppings
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat: Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Prepare Chicken: Season the chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and drizzle with olive oil.
3. Top: Place chicken in a baking dish, spread marinara sauce over each piece, then layer with mozzarella cheese, pepperoni, and other toppings as desired.
4. Cook: Bake for 30 to 35 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and cheese is golden and bubbly.
5. Garnish: Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese before serving.

In wrapping up these chicken delights, remember that the key to any great dish is the quality of ingredients and the passion in cooking. From the comfort of Chicken Fried Steak with Gravy to the playful twist of Pizza Chicken, each recipe provides a unique way to enjoy the versatile flavors of chicken. Whether you're cooking for a family dinner or just for yourself, these Pioneer Woman Chicken Recipes offer a culinary journey that's both satisfying and easy to make. Enjoy experimenting with flavors, and let these recipes inspire your next kitchen adventure.