Fresh curry powder gives this chicken dish plenty of flavor
A dusting of curry flavors this simple chicken dish. There’s no slicing or dicing for this meal. Ready-toeat shredded carrots can be found in the produce section of the supermarket. They’re added to the rice just after the rice is cooked, warming them through while keeping their crisp texture.
The curry powder sold in supermarkets is a blend of about 15 herbs, spices and seeds.
This type of powder loses its flavor quickly. If you have curry powder that is more than six months old, buy a new one. It will add more flavor to the dish.
Helpful Hints:
■ Chicken tenders or boneless, skinless chicken breast can be used instead of chicken thighs.
■ A meat thermometer should read 165 degrees.
Countdown:
■ Microwave rice and add carrots.
■ Assemble ingredients for chicken.
■ Make chicken.
Shopping List:
To buy: 3/4 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs, 1 bottle curry powder, 1 small jar apricot jam, 1 carton heavy whipping cream, 1 package microwaveable brown rice, 1 small bunch scallions, 1 bag shredded carrots and 1 container olive oil spray.
Staples: olive oil, salt and black peppercorns.
CURRY-KISSED CHICKEN
Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer 1 1/2 tablespoons curry
powder
3/4 pound boneless,
skinless chicken thighs Olive oil spray
Salt and freshly ground
black pepper
⅓ cup water
2 tablespoons apricot jam 3 tablespoons heavy
whipping cream
1/4 cup slice scallions
Place curry powder on a plate. Remove visible fat from chicken toss the chicken thighs in the curry powder, making sure all sides are coated. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium heat and spray with olive oil spray. Add the chicken and sauté 4 minutes per side. A meat thermometer should read 165 degrees. Add salt and pepper to taste. Remove to a plate. Turn up the heat and add the water and apricot jam to the skillet and simmer 2 minutes stirring to melt jam. Add cream and simmer 1 minute to thicken sauce. Simmer a little longer if needed to thicken sauce. Spoon sauce over chicken. Sprinkle scallions on top.
Yield 2 servings.
Per serving: 369 calories (43% from fat), 17.7 g fat (6.9 g saturated, 5.6 g monounsaturated), 181 mg cholesterol, 34.7 g protein, 17.5 g carbohydrates, 2.9 g fiber, 174 mg sodium.
RICE AND CARROTS
Recipe by Linda Gassenheimer 1 package microwave
brown rice
1/2 cup shredded carrots 2 teaspoons olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper Microwave rice according to package instructions. Measure 1 1/2 cups rice and reserve remaining rice for another time. Place in a bowl and stir in shredded carrots. Add oil and salt and pepper to taste.
Yield 2 servings.
Per serving: 237 calories (23% from fat), 6 g fat (1.1 g saturated, 2.7 g monounsaturated), no cholesterol, 4.4 g protein, 41.4 g carbohydrates, 3.2 g fiber, 25 mg sodium. Linda Gassenheimer is an author of over 30 cookbooks. Her newest is “The 12-Week Diabetes Cookbook.” Find her on Facebook (@ FoodNewsandViews) and Twitter (@LGassenheimer), and listen to her podcasts at www.880thebiz.com.