The Pampered Chef grill is a versatile indoor electric grill that allows you to enjoy delicious grilled food all year round. With its rapid heat up and cool down, you can grill a weekday dinner as easily as weekend entertaining. The ridged grill plate provides attractive grill marks and promotes fat drainage as food cooks. The Pampered Chef grill is ideal for quick cooking proteins like steak, chicken, fish and veggies. With some creativity, you can use the grill for so much more. Keep reading for tips, tricks and recipes to make the most of your Pampered Chef grill.
Benefits of the Pampered Chef Grill
The Pampered Chef grill provides several advantages over outdoor grilling:
- Grill indoors year-round regardless of weather or season
- Rapid heat up and cool down to save time
- Compact size takes up minimal counter space
- Nonstick grill plates allow for easy cleanup
- Ability to grill without smoking up the kitchen
- Accurate temperature control up to 500°F
- timer lets you walk away without burning food
With these features, the Pampered Chef grill makes grilling simple and convenient for everyday meals. The grill plates impart appetizing sear marks that give food a fresh-off-the-grill taste. Continue reading for tips on getting the most from your grill.
Tips for Using the Pampered Chef Grill
Follow these tips and tricks for successful grilling every time:
- Preheat the grill for 5-10 minutes before cooking.
- Use a lower temperature (300°F) for delicate foods like fish and a higher temp (400-500°F) for steak, chicken or veggies.
- Brush or spray a small amount of oil on the grill plates to prevent sticking.
- Cut food into uniform pieces so it cooks evenly. Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness.
- Avoid overcrowding. Leave space between food for best results.
- Use tongs or a spatula to flip food instead of a fork which pierces and dries out meat.
- Allow meat to rest 5 minutes before slicing for juicier results.
- Clean grill plates while still warm. Deglaze with a little water to loosen any residue.
Following these simple tips will help you achieve picture-perfect grill marks and juicy, flavorful food off your Pampered Chef grill. Next let’s look at quick and easy recipes suited for indoor grilling.
Everyday Grilling Recipes
The Pampered Chef grill excels at cooking quick weeknight meals. The following are some easy recipes to add to your regular rotation:
Lemon Herb Chicken Breasts
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (pounded to 1/2 inch thickness)
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- Lemon wedges for serving
1. Combine olive oil, garlic, oregano and lemon juice in a bowl. Add chicken and turn to coat both sides. Let marinate 15 minutes.
2. Preheat grill to 400°F. Grill chicken 6-8 minutes per side until cooked through. Serve with lemon wedges.
Flank Steak with Chimichurri
- 1 lb flank steak, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 3 Tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, minced
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1. Combine chimichurri ingredients and let sit 30 minutes.
2. Grill steak over high heat 3-5 minutes per side for medium rare.
3. Let steak rest 5 minutes then slice across the grain. Serve topped with chimichurri sauce.
Grilled Vegetable Platter
- 1 red onion, sliced into 1/2 inch rounds
- 1 yellow squash, cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch slices
- 1 zucchini, cut lengthwise into 1/2 inch slices
- 1 red bell pepper, cut into 2 inch strips
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 tsp each salt and pepper
1. Toss vegetables with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
2. Grill over medium high, turning occasionally, until softened and charred – about 10 minutes.
3. Serve vegetables warm or at room temperature.
Grilled Shrimp Skewers
- 20 large shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 1 lb cherry tomatoes
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- 1/4 tsp pepper
- Pinch of red pepper flakes
1. Soak bamboo skewers in water 30 minutes (to prevent burning).
2. Toss shrimp with remaining ingredients and let marinate 15 minutes.
3. Thread shrimp and tomatoes alternately onto skewers.
4. Grill 3-4 minutes on each side until shrimp turn pink.
Hearty Grilled Dinner Recipes
The Pampered Chef grill excels at quick weeknight meals but you can also use it for heartier main dishes perfect for casual gatherings with family and friends. Consider these more substantial grilled recipes:
Rosemary Lamb Chops
- 8 lamb loin chops, pounded to 1 inch thickness
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
- Salt and pepper to taste
1. Combine garlic, olive oil and rosemary. Rub mixture all over lamb chops and season with salt and pepper. Let marinate 20 minutes.
2. Grill chops over medium high heat, turning once, 5-7 minutes for medium rare.
Jerk Chicken
- 4 chicken leg quarters
- 1⁄4 cup jerk seasoning (store bought or homemade)
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
1. Rub chicken all over with jerk seasoning. Let marinate 20 minutes or up to 8 hours.
2. Grill chicken over medium heat about 25 minutes until cooked through, turning occasionally.
3. Serve with lime wedges.
Southwestern Stuffed Bell Peppers
- 4 large red, yellow or orange bell peppers
- 1 lb lean ground turkey or beef
- 1 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cooked rice
- 1 cup corn kernels
- 1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
- Salt, cumin and cayenne pepper to taste
1. Cut bell peppers in half lengthwise. Remove seeds and membranes. Brush with oil.
2. Brown meat with onion and garlic. Drain if needed.
3. Add remaining ingredients except cheese. Season to taste.
4. Stuff pepper halves with meat mixture. Top with shredded cheese.
5. Grill peppers over medium heat 15-20 minutes until filling is hot and peppers soften.
Grilled Pizza
- 1 lb prepared pizza dough
- Olive oil
- 1 cup pizza sauce
- Toppings such as pepperoni, sausage, veggies, cheese
1. Divide dough into 4 portions. Roll or stretch each into rounds. Brush both sides with olive oil.
2. Grill dough 2-3 minutes per side with grill lid closed until puffed and grill marks appear.
3. Remove from grill. Top with sauce, cheese and other toppings.
4. Return pizzas to grill, close lid and cook 5 minutes until cheese melts.
Grilled Desserts
Your Pampered Chef grill isn’t just for savory dishes. Consider using it to prepare sweet treats as well:
Grilled Peach Sundaes
- 4 peaches, halved and pitted
- Honey or brown sugar
- Vanilla ice cream
- Chopped nuts or granola
1. Brush cut sides of peaches with honey or brown sugar.
2. Grill peaches cut-side down over medium heat until caramelized, about 5 minutes.
3. Place grilled peaches over vanilla ice cream and top with nuts or granola.
Grilled Pound Cake with Strawberry Sauce
- 8 slices pound cake (1 inch thick)
- Butter or oil for brushing
- 1 pt fresh strawberries, pureed
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- Whipped cream for serving (optional)
1. Brush both sides of pound cake slices with butter or oil.
2. Grill cake slices over medium 1-2 minutes per side until lightly toasted.
3. Stir together pureed strawberries and sugar.
4. Serve grilled pound cake topped with strawberry sauce and whipped cream.
Grilled Bananas Foster
- 4 firm, ripe bananas, peeled and halved lengthwise
- 2 Tbsp butter, melted
- 1⁄4 cup brown sugar
- 1⁄4 tsp cinnamon
- 1⁄4 cup rum or 1 tsp rum extract
- Vanilla ice cream or whipped cream
1. Mix butter, brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Brush banana halves on both sides with mixture.
2. Grill bananas over medium heat 2-3 minutes per side until caramelized and heated through.
3. Remove bananas from grill. Carefully add rum. Return to grill 1 minute until alcohol cooks off.
4. Serve bananas over ice cream or whipped cream.
Meal Ideas
With its versatility, the Pampered Chef grill can be part of breakfast, lunch, dinner, appetizers or dessert. Here are sample meal ideas:
Breakfast
Grill up pancakes, French toast, sausage and bacon for a hearty breakfast off the grill.
Lunch
Make grilled cheese sandwiches, panini, quesadilla or heat up leftovers from last night’s dinner.
Appetizers
Quickly grill bruschetta, naan, pita or crostini then top with delicious spreads. You can also make grilled veggie kabobs, stuffed mushrooms or chicken skewers.
Dinner
Choose your main protein like steak, chicken, shrimp or pork chops. Add a simple salad and side like rice or roasted potatoes.
Dessert
Grill fruits like pineapple and peaches. Make s’mores for a fun treat. You can even grill cookies or brownies for something decadent.
Top Recipe Suggestions
Here are top recipes to try on your new Pampered Chef grill:
| Recipe | Prep Time | Total Time |
|---|---|---|
| Lemon Herb Chicken Breasts | 10 min | 20 min |
| Southwestern Stuffed Peppers | 20 min | 45 min |
| Rosemary Lamb Chops | 20 min | 25 min |
| Grilled Shrimp Skewers | 15 min | 20 min |
| Jerk Chicken | 20 min | 45 min |
| Grilled Pound Cake and Strawberries | 10 min | 15 min |
These top recipes give you an idea of the variety of quick and easy meals you can make using your Pampered Chef grill.
Conclusion
The Pampered Chef grill is an extremely versatile appliance that enables you to enjoy delicious grilled food all year long. With proper techniques and a little creativity, you can use it daily for breakfasts, lunches, dinners, snacks and even desserts. Refer back to this article for grilling tips, tricks and go-to recipes. Your new grill can revolutionize your home cooking. Enjoy all the fun and flavor of grilling – indoors every day.