A Modern Take on Gene Kelly's Favorite Chicken

 

 

Raise your hand if you know the answer to this question: What does Singin’ in the Rain have to do with cooking? Gene Kelly’s Favorite Chicken, of course! Deep in the Cyd Charisse and Tony Martin Collection at the Great American Songbook Foundation Library & Archives, an unpublished manuscript provides a unique perspective into celebrity diets and lifestyles in the 1980s. Micaela Knox, program coordinator at the Foundation, adapted Gene Kelly’s Favorite Chicken to fit today’s busy home chefs using an electric pressure cooker and everyday fresh ingredients.

 

 

 

 

 

Known for her striking performances in film and hypnotic dance ability, Cyd Charrise dazzled audiences across the world ever since her big break in Singin’ in the Rain (1952). Charisse, described by New York Times as “one of Hollywood’s most glamorous and seductive talents,” maintained a lifelong friendship with her iconic movie co-star Gene Kelly.

Her silver screen career slowed after the 1960s, and Charisse became involved in the ‘80s health and wellness scene. She drafted a fitness manuscript that collected recipes contributed by several top talents of the time, including Ricardo Montalban’s Mexican Meatballs, Zsa Zsa Gabor’s Stuffed Green Peppers, and of course Gene Kelly’s Favorite Chicken.

Containing the title “Chicken in a Pot with Beer,” Gene Kelly appropriately included a note, “This recipe is not an original of mine, but being a beer lover it is especially appealing to me.” Kelly lovingly signed the recipe with his succinct signature. If you want to download the original recipe, along with other vintage celebrity recipes, you can find it at the bottom of the page.

Our modern take on Gene Kelly’s Favorite Chicken substitutes the recommended canned vegetables for fresh ingredients and uses the modern home cook’s favorite appliance: the electric pressure cooker. This recipe only takes 10 minutes to prepare and is ready to serve within half an hour. You can adjust the size of the chicken and amount of ingredients depending on the size of your pressure cooker, just be sure to adjust your cooking time if you do. For a gluten-free alternative or a version for alcohol-free households, you can also easily substitute the beer with chicken stock.

GENE KELLY’S FAVORITE CHICKEN RECIPE

• Serving size: 6-8 servings
• Prep time: 10 minutes
• Cook time: 27 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 whole chicken, 5-8 lbs
• 1 lemon, juiced
• Salt & pepper, to taste
• 2 ½ cups beer (or substitute chicken stock)
• 3 tbsp onion powder
• 2 tsp salt
• ½ cup dried celery leaves or 2 tsp celery seeds
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 tsp dried thyme
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 medium white onion or ½ large white onion, diced
• 1 bunch fresh parsley, roughly chopped or torn
• ½ lbs (half bag) baby carrots
• ½ lbs miniature yellow potatoes
• 12 oz (half container) white mushrooms, washed & quartered
• 12 oz (one package) frozen peas
• Paprika & parsley (to garnish)

Instructions:
1. Prepare the chicken by drying it with a paper towel.
2. Rub chicken with the lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
3. Place the chicken into the pressure cooker.
4. Pour the beer (or chicken stock) over the chicken, making sure to leave space below the MAX FILL line. Some liquid may be leftover, discard.
5. Sprinkle onion powder, salt, bay leaf, dried thyme, and dried celery leaves/seeds over chicken.
6. Mince the garlic and dice the onion. Chop or tear the parsley. Quarter the mushrooms.
7. Place the garlic, onion, parsley, baby carrots, miniature potatoes, and mushrooms into pressure cooker, making sure to leave space above the MAX FILL line.
8. Secure the lid and turn on the pressure cooker. If your pressure cooker has it, turn the dial to the chicken preset. Adjust the time to cook for 27 minutes. Start the machine.
9. Once the chicken has finished cooking, carefully release the steam valve. Wait until the steam finishes releasing and the valve falls.
10. Remove lid and remove the chicken. Carve or shred, as desired.
11. If your pressure cooker has it, turn on the sauté setting and press start. Cook frozen peas in boiling broth according to directions on package.
12. Serve chicken with vegetables without the broth for a plated entrée, or with broth for a perfect chicken soup-like meal paired with your favorite crusty bread.
13. Garnish with paprika and parsley.

Tips and tricks:
• Cut prep time by placing chicken, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in the pressure cooker at the same time.
• Substitute whole chicken with chicken breasts for a low-fat alternative that also saves time. Reduce cooking time according by weight.
• In the original recipe Gene Kelly recommends adding a flour and water slurry during the final boil step to thicken the broth.
• Listen to Singin’ in the Rain while eating to evoke the essences of Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse into your meal.
• Don’t have an electric pressure cooker? Follow Gene Kelly’s original cooking instructions for a stove-top alternative! Be sure to add fresh onion, potatoes, and carrots into the pot at the beginning.

Download other great recipes from the Cyd Charisse and Tony Martin Collection here:

Gene Kelly's Favorite Chicken

Ricardo Montalban's Mexican Meatballs

Zsa Zsa Gabor's Stuffed Green Peppers

Tags:
dinner, chicken, Instapot, Instant Pot, vintage recipes, easy recipes, celebrity recipes