My Three Favorite Recipes for Outdoor Entertaining

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I think that now that Memorial Day has passed, it’s summertime. Right? I think this means it is time to kick off the outdoor entertaining season at our home. And the best way to do that is to share my favorite recipes for outdoor entertaining. 

My Three Favorite Recipes for Outdoor Entertaining

I love entertaining outdoors and I think it’s fun to create a great space for entertaining. Today I want to share my three favorite recipes for outdoor entertaining. Yet picking three recipes is way harder than it seems. 

So let’s start with the first of three recipes for outdoor entertaining. This recipe is amazing. Ok, it’s better than amazing. And it’s so simple to make.

Yield: 4 servings

Rosemary Chicken, Bacon and Avocado Salad

chickeen, bacon and avocado salad
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes

Ingredients

  • 4 thick-cut bacon slices diced
  • kosher salt
  • 2 boneless chicken thighs skin on
  • 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil divided
  • 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary leaves divided
  • 1 head romaine lettuce hearts chopped into bite-sized pieces
  • 1 bunch watercress
  • 1 cup whole cherry or grape tomatoes halved
  • 1/4 red onion thinly sliced
  • 1 large avocado
  • 2 teaspoons Dijon Mustard
  • 1/4 cup red wine vinegar

Instructions

    1. In a large cast-iron skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 7 minutes. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel to drain and set aside.
    2. Salt the chicken things. Add 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the bacon fat in the pan and heat over medium-high heat. Add 2 tablespoons of the rosemary and the chicken thighs, skin-side down, and cook until the chicken is golden and crisp. Flip the chicken and cook until the thighs are cooked through about 10 minutes.
    3. Make a bed of the romaine and watercress in a serving bowl or on a platter. Scatter the cherry tomatoes, red onion, and bacon pieces on top.
    4. Slice the avocado, sprinkle the slices with salt, and arrange them on the salad. Slice the chicken and add it to the salad.
    5. To make the rosemary vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together the mustard, the remaining 1/4 cup olive oil, vinegar, and 1 teaspoon rosemary until smooth. Season with salt.
    6. Gently toss the salad with the vinaigrette and serve
      immediately.



The next recipe I have shared here before. It’s called Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa. You can either grill the salmon (on two sheets of foil) or bake it in the oven. This recipe is so fresh and summery and has been a huge hit every time I serve it.

Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa

Grilled Salmon with Avocado Salsa

This recipe is my go-to recipe. It's delicious, healthy and easy to make.

Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Ingredients

  • Salmon:
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 4 salmon fillets
  • Avocado Salsa:
  • 2 avocados
  • 1/4 red onion
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1 Tbsp. olive oil
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 TBL chopped fresh cilantro

Instructions

Place the salmon in a baking pan lined with parchment paper. Drizzle the olive oil on the top of the salmon and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika.

Grill the salmon on high heat for five minutes on each side. Or bake it in the oven at 350 degrees for thirty minutes.

In a separate bowl, lightly toss avocados, 1/4 red onion, the juice from one lime, 1 Tbsp. olive oil and salt to taste.

Spoon avocado salsa on top of the cooked salmon. Top with finely cut cilantro and enjoy!


 

The last of these recipes for outdoor entertaining is a recipe I love to make in our outdoor kitchen. It’s a very short recipe and probably the easiest one you will ever make. It’s called The Best Grilled Chicken with Pistachio Avocado Sauce.

Yield: 2 servings

The Best Grilled Chicken with Pistachio Avocado Sauce

Dinner with Friends Main Entree Sea Bass and Chicken

This is the best Grilled Chicken with Pistachio Avocado Sauce – marinated in soy sauce, honey, and garlic and grilled to juicy, golden-brown perfection. Then topped with an amazing green pistachio and avocado sauce. So easy!

Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 55 minutes

Ingredients

  • CHICKEN
  • 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 3/4 cup soy sauce
  • 3/4 cup honey
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 4 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 1 TBL cilantro
  • fresh lime, squeezed
  • PISTACHIO AVOCADO SAUCE
  • 1 avocado
  • 1 cup packed parsley and cilantro leaves (combined)
  • 1 jalapeño, ribs and seeds removed
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • juice of one lime (or two – get lots of limey goodness in there!)
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup pistachios (you can sub other nuts)

Instructions

    1. Cut the chicken into chunks. Place in a large ziplock plastic bag or bowl.
    2. Pour the soy sauce, honey, water, and garlic into a bowl. Whisk until incorporated. Set aside about 3/4 cup of the sauce for brushing the chicken later.
    3. Pour the remaining sauce into the bag or bowl with the chicken. Seal or cover the mixture and refrigerate as long as you can – 4 hours is a good minimum but you can go as long as overnight.
    4. When you’re ready to grill, preheat the grill on medium-high for 5-10 minutes and oil the grates. Meanwhile, drain off the marinade and place the chicken pieces on skewers. Place the chicken on the hot grill, cover, and cook for 3-4 minutes. Brush with reserved sauce and flip. Repeat this process until you see that the chicken is browned to your liking and fully
      cooked.
    5. Serve with cilantro, lime, Magic Green Sauce, or any other dipping sauces you like. We also like this with a salad and some naan or rice.
    6. To make the five-minute green sauce, pulse all remaining ingredients – except pistachios – in a food processor until incorporated.
    7. Add pistachios and pulse until mostly smooth (depends on what consistency you want).
    8. Serve as a dip, spread, or sauce — or add additional water or oil to thin the sauce for use as a dressing or a marinade.



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6 Comments

  1. Yum! I laughed right out loud when I read direction #2 for the Rosemary Chicken “salt the chicken things” 😉 Thanks for great recipes and a chuckle! Love your blog.

  2. Looks delicious Leslie! Your outdoor spaces are to die for! Keep inspiring us!! ❌⭕️❌⭕️

  3. I love the simple ness of these recipes. Enjoying the pure food and the friendships and the ambience makes the best ever party!

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