Have you ever found yourself staring at your fridge, wondering what to cook for dinner with the ingredients you have on hand? That was me the other night with two packages of frozen chicken thighs and a handful of vegetables. Instead of resorting to my usual go-to recipes, I decided to try something new—I used ChatGPT to generate a recipe. The result? An incredibly delicious baked chicken dish that I just had to share! In this post, I’ll recount my experience, highlight how AI can help us in the kitchen, and address some common fears about AI potentially taking away jobs in the creative field.

It was one of those weeknights where I had no idea what to cook. I had two packages of frozen chicken thighs, a few potatoes, some green beans, and some garlic. I was tired of my usual recipes and wanted to try something different. That’s when I thought, “Why not ask ChatGPT?”

I typed in my ingredients and requested a baked chicken recipe. Within seconds, ChatGPT provided a detailed recipe that sounded both easy and delicious. I followed the steps, and to my delight, the dish turned out amazing! The chicken was juicy and flavorful, the mashed potatoes were creamy, and the green beans were perfectly blanched. It was a hit with my family, and I couldn’t believe how effortless the whole process was.

Why Use AI for Cooking?
This experience opened my eyes to the potential of AI in our everyday lives. Here are a few reasons why using AI like ChatGPT in the kitchen can be a game-changer:

• Creativity Boost: AI can suggest new and creative ways to use ingredients you already have, helping you break out of cooking ruts.
• Time-Saver: Instead of spending time searching for recipes online, you can get instant suggestions tailored to your specific ingredients and preferences.
• Learning Opportunity: Using AI can introduce you to new cooking techniques and flavor combinations you might not have tried otherwise.
• Customization: AI can adjust recipes based on dietary restrictions or personal taste preferences, providing a more personalized cooking experience.

Ultron Fears: Embracing the Future of Creativity
While my experience with ChatGPT in the kitchen was a positive one, I understand that many people have concerns about AI. Perhaps we’re not at the point where our Stark tech will turn into Ultron and try to destroy humanity, but it is advancing quickly enough where there is a fear of its impact on jobs in creative fields. Here’s why I believe AI is an ally, not a threat, to creativity:

• Enhancement, Not Replacement: AI is a tool that can enhance our creative capabilities, not replace them. By leveraging AI, we can automate repetitive tasks and free up more time for creative thinking and innovation.
• Collaboration Over Competition: AI can serve as a collaborator, offering new perspectives and ideas that we might not have considered. This collaboration can lead to higher levels of creativity and innovation.
• Skill Development: Using AI requires a certain level of skill and understanding. By learning how to harness AI effectively, we can develop new skills that are valuable in the evolving job market.
• Expanding Boundaries: AI can push the boundaries of what’s possible in creative fields. It can help us explore uncharted territories and come up with groundbreaking ideas that might not be achievable without its assistance.

The Takeaway
Using ChatGPT to generate a recipe was a delightful and eye-opening experience. It showed me that AI can be a fantastic tool in the kitchen, offering creative solutions and making cooking more enjoyable. Moreover, embracing AI in creative fields doesn’t mean losing our jobs to machines; it means reaching new levels of creativity and innovation. I hope this inspires you to try using AI for your next meal and to see it as a partner in your creative endeavors. Stay tuned for more ChatGPT recipes and tips in this ongoing series!

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The Recipe: ChatGPT’s Baked Chicken with Garlic, Mashed Potatoes, and Green Beans

Ingredients:

• 8 chicken thighs (bone-in, skin-on)
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 large potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 2 cups green beans, trimmed
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons butter (for mashed potatoes)
• 1/2 cup milk (for mashed potatoes)
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2. In a large bowl, combine the chicken thighs and minced garlic.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with paprika, thyme, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat evenly.
4. Arrange the chicken thighs, skin side up, on a baking sheet. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the skin is crispy.
5. While the chicken is baking, boil the potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender, about 15-20 minutes. Drain and return to the pot. Add butter and milk, then mash until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
6. In another pot, blanch the green beans in boiling water for 2-3 minutes until tender-crisp. Drain and season with a pinch of salt.
7. Serve the baked chicken with mashed potatoes and blanched green beans. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.