Scott Hocker

The chicken is seasoned simply with salt and pepper. That way, the big flavors of the whole-lemon vinaigrette shine. Slideshow:  More Chicken Thigh Recipes 

As the chicken cooks, the sharp bite of garlic mellows. Add even more garlic at the start of cooking for a deeper garlic flavor. Slideshow:  More Chicken Thigh Recipes 

Flat-leaf Italian parsley is best in this simple pasta preparation. But if there is only curly parsley available at the store, don’t hesitate to substitute it for the flat-leaf version. Slideshow:  More Pasta Recipes 

Because this dish requires raw tomatoes, use the freshest, ripest tomatoes you can find. A summer farmers’ market would be an ideal source. Slideshow:  More Pasta Recipes 

Parsley and basil go especially well with the southern Italian staples garlic and olive oil. Substitute others herbs such as dill, cilantro or mint for a more renegade—but equally delicious—variation. Slideshow:  More Pasta Recipes 

Lemon and butter go so well together, this easy spaghetti dish may forever change how you think about quick pantry pasta meals. Slideshow:  More Pasta Recipes 

Garlic is used two different ways in this dish. The intense garlic bite is great with the sturdy flavors of whole-wheat spaghetti. Slideshow:  More Pasta Recipes 

Think of this dish as a complete meal in every bite. Slideshow:  More Chicken Recipes 

Frozen puff pastry is a God-send in the kitchen. Slideshow:  More Chicken Recipes 

Garlic is used two different ways in this dish. The intense garlic bite is great with the sturdy flavors of whole-wheat spaghetti. Slideshow:  More Pasta Recipes 

Think of this dish as a complete meal in every bite. Slideshow:  More Chicken Recipes 

Frozen puff pastry is a God-send in the kitchen. Slideshow:  More Chicken Recipes 

Chicken pot pie is so good that one wants to share. Now no one has to. Slideshow:  More Chicken Recipes 

This southern take on a Yankee classic is truly all-American Slideshow:  More Chicken Recipes 

Store-bought pie crust can be substituted for the homemade version here for a little less work. Slideshow:  More Chicken Recipes 

These muffins are great for any meal of the day and make for an especially high-protein breakfast muffin. Slideshow:  More Chicken Recipes 

Feel free to substitute Monterey Jack for the cheddar in this warming pot pie recipe. Slideshow:  More Chicken Recipes 

Grating the beets is the key to this streamlined version of borscht. For minimal hand-staining, wear kitchen gloves when handling the beets. A box grater works well for grating, but a food processor with the grating disk makes super-quick work of the grating. Slideshow:  More Warming Soup Recipes 

Be sure to brown the kielbasa well during the first step. That color adds deep flavor during the rest of the cooking time. Slideshow:  America's Best Cured Meats 

The key to the biggest flavor in the pepper-spiked dumplings is to grind the pepper right before adding it to the dumpling dough. If you like a strong pepper kick, grind the pepper as coarsely as possible.

The dumplings in this traditionally flavored chicken with dumplings are made like biscuits. Baking them in the oven while the chicken cooks saves precious time.

These simply-roasted chicken thighs are made with only a few ingredients: salt, pepper, fresh rosemary and good olive oil. Slideshow:  More Chicken Thigh Recipes 

Cooking the onions, ancho chile, aromatic thyme and chicken together is an effortless way to prepare a sauce as part of a one-pot meal. The mild chile sauce could also be pureed with an immersion blender. Slideshow:  More Chicken Thigh Recipes 

Be sure your spices are fresh when making this easy Indian chili. If the spice jars have been lounging in a drawer for years, consider buying new ones. Vibrant spices make a big difference. Slideshow:  More Chili Recipes 

When using yogurt, be sure to stir the contents of the container first, as the yogurt tends to separate over time. Whole milk yogurt is ideal here, but low-fat or non-fat yogurt would also work. Slideshow:  More Chicken Recipes 

Change the nature of this grilled chicken recipe by varying the kinds of chile powder used. Ancho chile is chocolate-y and mild; chipotle is smoky; Mexican is spicy and bright. Slideshow:  More Chicken Recipes 

There are traditionally two ways to cook squid well: quick and slow. This stew uses the second technique, braising squid with tomato until it becomes silky-soft. Slideshow: More Quinoa Recipes 

The garnishes of feta and scallion give this quinoa soup a surprisingly rich finish. Slideshow: More Quinoa Recipes