Napa Chicken:  Boneless chicken breasts, sitting atop a bed of crispy potatoes, all topped with parmesan cheese, onions, mushrooms, zucchini, roasted red peppers and a red wine sauce.
You guys, I totally need a pick me up today. I'm so bummed. There is one thing that really bums me out as a blogger. Do you know what it is?
Sigh.
The worst thing for me is when I cook up a meal that is amazing. Not just good, but amazing, with flavors and textures and colors and then....
The photos suck.
It's my own fault. I'm not one of those bloggers who has the luxury of cooking early in the day to catch the perfect natural light. I am the kind of blogger who rushes to get dinner on the table, like any other mom and but then I photograph it. This means, a lot of the time it's 6 PM or later and needless to say, the lighting situation is not optimal.
Most of the time, I can finagle some settings on my camera to make them salvageable but as luck would have it. I misread a photo tip (because I'm a total skimmer and not a full on reader) about a setting to use when needing more light and I got it backwards.  I also was so rushed because it was way past the kids bedtimes and I just wanted to dig in, eat and get them to bed, so I didn't even review the photos as I was taking them. I just shot like a crazy lady and hoped for the best.
Well, the best is not what I got.
Unfortunately, this happens a lot over here. Usually, I just scrap the idea of sharing the recipe with you, but I didn't want to do that with this dish. It was REALLY delicious.
The other reason I didn't want to delay getting this recipe up is that it goes along perfectly with my recent series on remaking restaurant dishes at home. A few weeks ago, when I started the series, I asked you all on Facebook, what is your favorite dish to order in a restaurant and I got an answer from a reader of Napa Chicken. I had never heard of Napa Chicken, so of course I was intrigued, inspired and determined.
A quick Google search on Napa Chicken gave so many varying results. Oddly enough, the one that looked the most appetizing was one from Applebees. I have never eaten in an Applebees, and they are not usually my go to for recipe inspiration, but this time, it fit. I have never had their dish, but based on the description on their website, I created my own Napa Chicken. I hope this is the dish she was referring to!
That only left the photos. Well guys, I did my best. I'll show you what one of my pictures looked like originally (sad, I know). Thank goodness for programs like PicMonkey, because I was able to salvage them. Obviously they're not the best photos, but an improvement from the originals at least.
I know this recipe looks lengthy and difficult. I'm not going to lie, there are a lot of steps (but EASY steps). The upside is it's all in the same pan. You just keep swapping out the food. None of the steps are difficult.Â
TIME SAVING TIP: I highly recommend using a steam in the bag potato. I just buy my local store brand, but I know there are lots of varieties out there. The one I use has red potatoes in the bag and you just pop it in the microwave and they steam. After they cool a bit, I just dice and they're ready to go in the skillet. Much quicker and easier than having to par boil the potatoes.
If you are interested in trying PicMonkey to edit your photos, there are tons of options. It's not just for blogging, I now use it to edit pictures of my kids too. Oh, and it's FREE. There is also an option to upgrade to the Royal account for even more options. You can even get 1 week free of Royal, if you tell 3 friends about it!
Did you know you can help to support this page by visiting advertisers and/or purchasing items through the affiliate links?Â
Printable Recipe Card
Napa Chicken
Ingredients
Instructions
Other restaurant remakes you might be interested in are:Â Whole Wheat Pasta Aglio e Olio, Restaurant Style Chicken Broccoli Ziti, Chicken Valdostana.
If you have a suggestion for a restaurant remake dish, I'd love to hear it!
The Food Hunter says
this is my idea of dinner....pinning this!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks!
Amanda @the_kitcheneer says
This chicken looks delicious! And who cares if you don't capture the "best light", all that matters is how it tastes! And I can tell this is yummers! 🙂
foodyschmoody says
Thank you Amanda! I just am always my biggest critic.
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
I love using restaurant menus as inspiration for food I make at home! Oh and I totally know what you mean, I don't get to normally photograph food during the day either! (and YES it does look super good!!)
Brenda@Sugar-Free Mom says
Looks so light and healthy and a great way to use a bunch of veggies!
Heather // girlichef says
I think it looks delicious - so fresh and healthy!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks Heather
Kim (Feed Me, Seymour) says
This is my type of dinner, for sure!
Lana@NeverEnoughThyme says
I can so relate! I almost always have to photograph after prime daylight hours without any kind of studio lighting available. I think your photos look lovely and your recipe sounds outstanding!
Karissa @ Sweet as a Cookie says
This is making me so hungry! YUM!
Kim Beaulieu says
We're late eaters so totally feel you on the time thing. My kids are older so university gets out wicked late. And I'm not a reheating kind of gal. Now this I would cook early, reheat or anything else necessary to be able to nosh on this. Fabulous recipe.
foodyschmoody says
🙂 Thanks so much Kim!
Jessica (Savory Experiments) says
Looks fabulous, Christine! I'm always looking for new ways to prepare chicken.
Angela {Mind Over Batter} says
I can totally relate. I've actually made the same recipe 3 or 4 times until I've gotten photos I'm happy with. I know natural light is better, but have you considered artificial lighting? It works well. Anyway, this chicken looks scrumptious. I'm glad you posted it and your photos are fine, girl. Don't stress it!!
foodyschmoody says
Thanks Angela. My husband made me a PVC lightbox and bought me some daytime lights, I just can't seem to get it quite right yet. Working on it since the darker weather is headed our way.
Nutmeg Nanny says
This look delicious!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
I think we're all so obsessed about the photo that sometimes the actual recipe takes a back seat. I honestly don't know much about photography. I just try my best each and every day. Some days are way better than others. That said, I think you dish looks delicious and I love your list of ingredients. The red wine, balsamic and butter is killer.
foodyschmoody says
Thanks so much Renee. I know, I need to just chill out a bit about the photos and let the food speak for itself sometimes!
Paula - bell'alimento says
What a great week night meal!
foodyschmoody says
thanks Paula
Rebecca {foodie with family} says
This is the kind of meal that would make my hubby very happy and I love that it uses a lot of seasonal veggies.
Vonnie says
What red wine should I use when making this recipe?
foodyschmoody says
Hi there. Generally, I use whatever wine I am drinking. I think Cabernet goes best in cooking as it's not overly sweet. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Jwn says
Napa Chicken was my favorite dish at Applebee's. They have removed it from the menu. Thanks for the receipt. Making it tomorrow!
foodyschmoody says
Oh good, I hope this cures your craving!