This Is Literally A Million-Dollar Chicken Recipe (2024)

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This Is Literally A Million-Dollar Chicken Recipe (1)

What's the difference between chicken and million-dollar chicken? Ask Anna Ginsberg.

A decade ago, this stay-at-home mom submitted a rather unusual chicken recipe to the Pillsbury Bake-Off and it led her to walk away with the $1 million prize. Naturally, people wanted to make and try the dish for themselves -- including Oprah Winfrey.

So, Oprah invited Ginsberg to appear on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" in 2006 to see what all the fuss was about.

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"I make chicken all the time, and it ain't million-dollar chicken," Oprah said back then. "There's only so many things you can do with a chicken. So I said, 'I want to know what the heck kind of recipe she had that got her $1 million for the chicken!"

For the contest, Ginsberg was required to use two eligible products in the Pillsbury family. She chose a pack of frozen spinach and "dunkable" waffle sticks (since discontinued, but easy to substitute with regular waffles today).

"It came to me just kind of in a flash," Ginsberg told Oprah. "I literally went in my kitchen and just started chopping up stuff."

Ginsberg demonstrates the cooking process in the above clip, which prompts Oprah to exclaim, "Oh, this is easy!"

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But is it million-dollar good? Upon tasting the dish, Oprah suggested adding a little salt and pepper, but ultimately declared the meal a winner. "I do like it," she says. "I think it's delicious."

Baked Chicken and Spinach Stuffing

Recipe by Anna Ginsberg

This Is Literally A Million-Dollar Chicken Recipe (2)

OWN

Serves 2

Ingredients

3 Tbsp. maple-flavored syrup

2 Tbsp. peach preserves

1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce

2 bone-in skin-on chicken breasts (1 lb.)

1/4 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

4 frozen plain or buttermilk waffles

1 Tbsp. butter or margarine

1/2 c. chopped onion (1 medium)

1/4 c. chicken broth

1/2 tsp. poultry seasoning

1/2 tsp. chopped fresh sage

1 Tbsp. beaten egg white

1 box (9 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained (about 1 c.)

1 Tbsp. chopped pecans

Directions

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 9-inch glass pie plate or 8-inch square pan with cooking spray. In small bowl, mix syrup, preserves and Worcestershire sauce. Place chicken, skin side up, in pie plate; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Spoon syrup mixture over chicken.

Bake uncovered 40 to 45 minutes.

Meanwhile, toast waffles until golden brown. Cool slightly, about 2 minutes. Cut waffles into 3/4-inch cubes; set aside.

Spray 1-quart casserole with cooking spray (or use 9x5-inch nonstick loaf pan; do not spray). In 10-inch nonstick skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add onion; cook and stir about 2 minutes or until tender. Stir in waffle pieces and broth, breaking up waffle pieces slightly to moisten. Sprinkle with poultry seasoning and sage. Remove from heat; cool about 5 minutes. Stir in egg white and spinach. Spoon stuffing into casserole. Sprinkle pecans over top.

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Twenty minutes before chicken is done, place casserole in oven next to chicken in pie plate. Spoon syrup mixture in pie plate over chicken. Bake chicken and stuffing uncovered 20 to 25 minutes longer or until juice of chicken is clear when thickest part is cut to bone (170°F) and stuffing is thoroughly heated. Spoon remaining syrup mixture in pie plate over chicken. Serve chicken with stuffing.

Another easy chicken dinner to try:

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Before You Go

This Is Literally A Million-Dollar Chicken Recipe (3)

6 Ridiculously Delicious One-Pot Chicken Recipes

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This Is Literally A Million-Dollar Chicken Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to make chicken more flavorful? ›

Add a touch of spice to your chicken breast by combining paprika, cinnamon, turmeric, cumin, ginger, garlic and olive oil to create a paste. Then cover your chicken breast with the paste and pat down to secure.

How long to cook chicken breast in oven at 350? ›

Cooking tips

chicken breast at 350°F (177˚C) for 25 to 30 minutes. Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature is 165˚F (74˚C).

Is it better to roast chicken at 350 or 400? ›

You can roast or bake anywhere between 325 and 450 degrees F. When roasting a whole chicken, a nice rule of them is to start at 400 to 425 degrees F and then turn the oven down to 350 after 15 minutes and cook until the internal temp of the chicken is 165 – 175 degrees F on an instant read thermometer.

Should you cover roast chicken with foil when cooking? ›

Weigh your chicken and calculate the cooking time according to the guide below. Sit the bird in a roasting tin slightly larger than the chicken, and don't cover it with foil or you won't achieve a crisp skin. Basting your chicken during cooking will help keep the meat moist.

What does buttermilk do to chicken? ›

The secret to making the perfect fried chicken is the use of buttermilk, as it helps tenderize each piece while leaving each bite juicy and crispy.

What is Gordon Ramsay's famous recipe? ›

Gordon Ramsay's best recipes include Beef Wellington, Coq au Vin, Beef Stroganoff, Chicken Piccata, Rack of Lamb, Baked Salmon with Lemon and Dill, Shrimp Scampi, Beef and Guinness Stew, Spaghetti Carbonara, and Beef Burgundy.

What spices enhance the flavor of chicken? ›

5 best spice and herbs blends for chicken and meat
  • Paprika and garlic powder. Paprika is a great spice that makes any chicken dish stand out, it comes in many forms sweet, hot, regular and smoky. ...
  • Basil and rosemary. ...
  • Ginger and lemongrass. ...
  • Turmeric and chili. ...
  • Coriander and cumin.

What should you season chicken with? ›

Aside from classics like salt, pepper, basil and garlic, you could try using chilli powder, ginger, cumin, cayenne, paprika, oregano, sage, rosemary and thyme.

Should you season chicken before baking? ›

Just sprinkling a little salt on top of your chicken right before cooking it will only season the surface. But seasoning the chicken with salt well ahead of time or brining it in a salt-water solution will draw salt deep into the meat, resulting in a very tasty piece of chicken.

Is it better to bake chicken covered or uncovered? ›

Larger cuts, such as whole chickens or bone-in pieces, often benefit from covered baking to ensure thorough and even cooking. Smaller cuts, like chicken breasts or tenders, can be baked uncovered for quick results. Lastly, think about the desired texture and flavor you're trying to achieve.

Will baking chicken at 350 dry it out? ›

425°F is the best temperature for baking chicken. The chicken turns golden on the outside and unbelievably juicy inside. At a lower temperature like 350°F, the chicken can dry out, as it will need to be in the oven for a longer period.

Is 350 hot enough to cook chicken? ›

The minimum oven temperature to use when cooking chicken is 325 °F (162.8° C). Using a food thermometer is the only sure way of knowing if your food has reached a high enough temperature to destroy foodborne bacteria.

Should I roast my chicken covered or uncovered? ›

If you want your chicken to be truly roasted with crisp, golden-brown skin, it needs to spend time in the oven uncovered.

Should I bake my chicken covered or uncovered? ›

If you prefer a tender and moist result, covered baking will be the better option. If you're desiring a crispy exterior and bolder flavors, uncovered baking is best.

Is it good to cover chicken when baking? ›

You never have to worry about covering chicken while baking, as it's OK to bake it uncovered. Once your chicken is in the oven, it's hands-free until you need to check the temperature. Then, you can whip up a no-cook appetizer, vegetable or potato side dish, or dessert if you're feeling ambitious.

Does Ina Garten wash chicken? ›

Washing your chicken is going to have Garten crying foul, and for good reason. During an episode of Food Network's "Cook Like a Pro," she explained, "I know there's this whole debate about whether you wash the chicken before you do this, or you don't," but the professional chef is on the side of not doing it.

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