15 Minute Meals: Sticky Kicking Chicken

I defrosted some chicken on Friday morning, but ended up making an unexpected run to Toronto on Friday afternoon which extended into Saturday.  So last night (Sunday), not really feeling like cooking, I decided it was time to make another 15 minute meal.  To say that I didn't have my 15 minute meal "head" on is an understatement.  To top it off, I still don't have the book (snail mail from the UK takes a while) so I had to rewatch episode #1 and take notes before even attempting this.  Good thing that the Food Network here in Canada is finally showing these episodes, so I've got the first few PVRed.

316.  Sticky Kicking Chicken and Watermelon Salad (Jamie's 15 Minute Meals, page 34)

I didn't have a watermelon, but I did have a cantaloupe.  Same family, what difference....I had all the fresh herbs I needed, and of course some well defrosted chicken thighs.  I immediately got those prepared by sprinkling them with salt, pepper and five spice, and flattening them with the rolling pin.  While they were frying away, I covered some rice noodles with boiling water, and started digging through my fridge for the salad ingredients.

I found some radishes that were questionable, but a couple looked ok.  Nice fresh mint & cilantro, thanks to an Asian market I visited in Toronto.  I had romaine lettuce rather than gem (I've never seen it around these parts).  I took my time cutting up the cantaloupe, dropping some every once in a while for the dogs, who were seriously crowding me.  They love them some fresh fruit.  My little neighbour was visiting, and kept trying to get my attention with various YouTube videos.  Eventually, I started throwing things into the blender to make the dressing.  All the while keeping an eye on the chicken, turning it when necessary, and draining the noodles when they were soft.  I added a teaspoon of sesame oil to them, and put about 1/4 of them into a hot frying pan to crisp.

Ok, the dressing consists of cilantro stalks, red chile, ginger, green onions, sesame oil, soy sauce, fish sauce, and lime juice.  I honestly didn't measure anything.  I bribed the dogs with more cantaloupe before turning on the blender, and it worked!  They didn't bark or scream.  Score one for me.  By this point I was getting cranky, hungry and tired.  I coated the cooked chicken in Thai chili sauce, then sprinkled it with sesame seeds, and let it continue to fry for a few minutes until it was nice and sticky.  Finally, time to sit down  eat!  A full 45 minutes had elapsed.

The chicken was delicious.  Maybe one of my favourite preparations of chicken thighs ever.  I was tempted to eat more than my portion, but I resisted.  The salad was good, but I doubt I'd go to the trouble of crisping the noodles again.  I look  forward to the left overs.  I kept the dressing separate so that the lettuce didn't get wilted.