Diet Recipes
Balsamic Chicken with Pears
Recipe makes 6 servings.
Each Serving Totals - 4 Fat Grams, 26.2 Carbohydrate Grams, 233
calories, 5.5 WW Points.
6 chicken breasts halves (3 to 4-ounce each), boneless and skinless*
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot, chopped
2 medium pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 cup chicken broth or stock (all fat removed)
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/4 cup dried tart cherries
Pat chicken dry with paper towels. One at a time, place the chicken
breast between two sheets of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet,
carefully pound the chicken breasts to a uniform thickness of approximately
1/2-inch. Season on both sides with salt and pepper.
In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, add the olive oil.
When the oil is hot, add the chicken and saute, turning once, for
3 to 4 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Remove from heat
and transfer to a platter, cover, and keep warm.
To the same pan, add the shallot and saute over medium-high heat
for 2 minutes or until soft; decrease heat to medium and add the
pears. Continue sautéing, stirring occasionally for 3 to
4 minutes, until the pears are soft and golden brown.
To prepare the sauce, combine chicken broth, balsamic vinegar,
sugar, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Pour over the pear mixture;
add the cherries. Increase heat to high and simmer, stirring frequently
for 6 to 8 minutes or until the sauce thicksn slightly. Return the
chicken and any juices to the pan. Bring the mixture back to a simmer;
decrease heat to medium. Cook for 10 minutes or until a meat thermometer
registers an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (juices will
run clear when cut with the tip of a knife). Taste and adjust the
seasoning if necessary. Remove chicken from heat.
Place the chicken on individual serving plates or on a large platter.
Using a slotted spoon, mound the fruit over the top. Spoon the sauce
over the fruit and around the chicken. Serve immediately.
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