Skip to content

Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

Basin Street Chicken

Ingredients

6 5-6 ounce chicken breasts, boneless, skinless

1/2 cup no-stick grilling marinade for poultry (page xxx)

2 tsp poultry seasoning

2 Tbsp unsalted butter

3 cups sliced mushrooms

1 tsp salt

1 tsp black pepper freshly ground

6 1-ounce slices cheddar cheese

6 1-ounce slices Monterey jack cheese

1 recipe caramelized onions, hot (page xxx)

1 1/2 cup fresh tomatoes, medium dice

1 Tbsp fresh parsley, chopped

Instructions

Using a pastry brush, coat the chicken breasts with the no-stick marinade. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Sprinkle the breasts with poultry seasoning.

Prepare the grill. Cook chicken over direct high heat for 10-12 minutes, turning once.

While the chicken is cooking: Heat butter in a medium sauté pan over high heat. Place mushrooms, salt, and pepper in the hot butter and sauté the mushrooms for 6-7 minutes, stirring them occasionally. Drain off any excess moisture.

With the chickens on the grill, top each chicken breast with one each of both cheeses. Divide the onions and mushrooms evenly and place them atop the cheese. Close the lid to the grill and cook until cheese melts.

Place chicken on serving dishes and top with the fresh tomatoes and chopped parsley.

Yield: 6 servings

Recent Recipes

Harrison’s Brown Butter Mashed Potatoes

Having a son who’s following in your footsteps is one thing. Watching him take what you’ve taught him and elevate it to something even better—that’s special. During his Christmas break from the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, New York, a few years ago, he nudged me out of the way and made these mashed potatoes. I was skeptical, of course as I’ve been making mashed potatoes for decades. But there was no question his version was better. There’s a lot of pride in seeing him excel in the kitchen, making something as simple as mashed potatoes taste extraordinary. This recipe has become a new tradition in our family. Watching him cook now, with all that skill and precision, is a proud moment for me every time. This is his recipe, and I’ve adopted it as my own.

Read more

Macaroni and Cheese

Growing up, elaborate mac & cheese wasn’t something that made its way to our dinner table. That’s not some sort of elitist statement. We grew up in a very modest way. It’s just that macaroni and cheese was something my mom never purchased at the store and therefore never served. This recipe is rich and indulgent with a blend of cheeses that create a creamy, savory masterpiece. Adding crispy fried shallots or crumbled bacon to the breadcrumb topping gives it a savory, satisfying crunch. The blend of cheeses—Velveeta for creaminess, Gruyere for nuttiness, Cheddar for sharpness, and Colby Jack for that buttery melt—makes all the difference.

Read more

Robert’s Christmas Turkey 2025

There's nothing like a well-roasted turkey to anchor a holiday table, and no one made it quite like my grandmother. She didn't wait until Thanksgiving to serve it. She'd roast a turkey once a month throughout the year, never mind the occasion. It was a staple at her table. My mother, on the other hand, always made a formal Christmas Eve dinner, complete with turkey, dressing, and gravy. As kids, the excitement of Christmas Eve was almost too much to bear. Those big dinners felt like the beginning of Christmas itself. It’s a memory that comes to mind every time I cook a turkey or make gravy. And a good gravy can make or break the meal. Making sure the roux browns just right and finishing the gravy with a touch of lemon juice or fresh herbs are tricks worth remembering. A little extra attention to the gravy goes a long way.

Read more