A Delicious Dinner

All four of the kids oohed and aahed over this one. I hadn't made it in at least a year, maybe two, so they didn't really remember it. I bought the really big bag of frozen boneless, skinless chicken breasts from Sam's Club, so I doubled everything in the recipe for our family. We only had two pieces of chicken left. I think three of my four kids ate two pieces each!

I served the chicken with fresh vegetables and ranch dressing, and a spinach salad. I put sliced strawberries, some almonds, shredded cheese from a bag and Marzetti's spinach salad dressing on it. I mix the dressing up half dressing/half water so it's not quite so thick before I toss the salad.

Basil Grilled Chicken
reprinted from a Southern Living recipe card I got in the mail years ago

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
3/4 tsp coarsely ground pepper
1/3 cup butter or margarine, melted
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened
2 Tbsp minced fresh basil
1 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp. pepper
Fresh basil sprigs (optional)

Press 3/4 tsp pepper into meaty sides of chicken breast halves. Combine 1/3 cup melted butter and 1/4 cup chopped basil; stir well. Brush chicken lightly with melted butter mixture.

Combine 1/2 cup softened butter, 2 tablespoons basil, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Beat at low speed of an electric mixer until mixture is well blended and smooth. Transfer to a small serving bowl; set aside. (I just mixed it up really well with a spoon. I also used regular basil from the spice aisle here, even though I used fresh basil in the first step. I know, I'm a rebel.)

Grill chicken over medium coals 8 - 10 minutes on each side, basting frequently with remaining melted butter mixture. Serve grilled chicken with basil-butter mixture (I didn't do this; we used it all basting). Garnish with fresh basil sprigs, if desired (I didn't do this either).

We will be making this next week when company comes!