Michael'S Marvelous Chicken
Michael's Marvelous Chicken features tender chicken breasts topped with a flavorful shrimp and crab butter sauce, infused with basil, garlic, and lemon. Perfect for seafood and poultry lovers, it offers a rich, savory taste with fresh mushroom and green onion accents, making it an elegant yet approachable dish.
Ingredients
- 2 c. water ⓘ
- 1/4 lb. unpeeled fresh shrimp ⓘ
- 8 oz. carton unsalted whipped butter ⓘ
- 6 fresh mushrooms, finely chopped ⓘ
- 3 large green onions, finely chopped ⓘ
- 1/2 lb. fresh lump crabmeat, drained and flaked
- 1/2 tsp. salt ⓘ
- 1/2 tsp. dried whole basil ⓘ
- 1/4 tsp. poultry seasoning ⓘ
- 1 clove garlic, minced ⓘ
- 1 Tbsp. lemon juice
- 8 chicken breast halves, skinned and boned ⓘ
- butter ⓘ
- paprika ⓘ
- paprika ⓘ
Instructions
- Bring 2 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan.
- Add the unpeeled fresh shrimp and cook for 3 to 5 minutes.
- Drain the shrimp well and rinse with cold water.
- Peel and devein the shrimp.
- Combine the unsalted whipped butter, finely chopped mushrooms, and chopped green onions in a bowl.
- Add the cooked shrimp to the butter mixture.
- Season with salt, dried basil, poultry seasoning, minced garlic, and lemon juice; mix well.
- Prepare the chicken breasts by skinning and boning them.
- Cook the chicken breasts as desired (grilling, baking, or sautéing).
- Serve the chicken topped with the shrimp butter sauce, garnished with paprika if desired.
Tips & Substitutions
For a rich flavor, consider using clarified butter instead of regular unsalted whipped butter. If fresh shrimp isn't available, frozen shrimp can be a convenient substitute; just be sure to thaw them properly before cooking. You can also add a dash of cayenne pepper for extra heat or use fresh herbs like parsley or chives for a fresh finish. This dish pairs beautifully with Chicken A La Can for a delightful dinner spread.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the chicken topped with the shrimp butter sauce and garnish with a sprinkle of paprika for color. This dish goes well with a side of steamed vegetables or a fresh salad for a balanced meal. Consider pairing it with rice or pasta to soak up the delicious sauce. For a complete dinner experience, you might also want to serve with Oven-Baked Barbecue Spareribs for a delightful variety.
Storage & Reheating
To store leftovers, place them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When reheating, gently warm the chicken and shrimp butter sauce in a skillet over low heat to prevent drying out. Alternatively, you can use the microwave, but cover the dish to retain moisture. Avoid reheating multiple times to maintain quality.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Michael'S Marvelous Chicken contains roughly 678 calories, with 34g protein, 130g carbohydrates, and 28g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin A (333% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (268% of the Daily Value), and iron (222% of the Daily Value). Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 706mg per serving (31% of the Daily Value).
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen shrimp for this recipe?
Yes, frozen shrimp can be used as a convenient substitute. Just ensure they are fully thawed and patted dry before adding them to the shrimp butter mixture. This will help maintain the texture and flavor of the dish.
What type of chicken can I use?
You can use boneless chicken thighs if you prefer a juicier option. Just adjust the cooking time since thighs may take slightly longer to cook through compared to chicken breasts. Both cuts will pair well with the shrimp butter sauce.
How can I make this dish ahead of time?
Prepare the shrimp butter sauce in advance and store it in the refrigerator. You can also cook the chicken ahead of time. Just reheat both components together before serving for a quick and delicious meal.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).