"It's the company, not the cooking, that makes the meal!" ~Perilee 
(Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson)



Sunday, August 2, 2009

Balsamic Vinegar Chicken with Almond Peppers


So this has been a favorite of ours for a few years now. We first had this served to us from Lynnette's table--everything that we've eaten from her kitchen is a hit! I love to cook this in the summer when bell peppers are fresh out of the garden. I have used all colors of peppers and it always turns out tasty. This is a little labor intensive but worth the effort. We have Cooking Light magazine to thank for this great recipe.

2 large red bell peppers (about 3/4 pound)
2 large green bell peppers (about 3/4 pound) I like to use yellow or orange if I have them.
2 teaspoon olive oil
1/3 cup raisins
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 1/2 teaspoon sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted
6 (4-oz) skinned, boned chicken breast halves (I use tenders)
3 Tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
3 Tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup All-purpose flour
2 egg whites
2 teaspoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 Tablespoons water

Yield

6 servings (serving size: 1 chicken breast half and 1/2 cup bell peppers)

  • Directions:

    Cut bell peppers into 2 x 2 1/2-inch strips. Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add peppers; sauté 8 minutes. Add raisins; sauté 1 minute. Add 1/4 cup vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper; cook 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in almonds. Set aside, and keep warm.

    Place each piece of chicken between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; flatten to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Combine breadcrumbs and cheese in a shallow dish. Place flour in a shallow dish; dredge each chicken piece in flour, and dip in egg whites. Dredge chicken in breadcrumb mixture.

    Heat 2 teaspoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, and cook for 3 minutes on each side or until done. Remove from heat. Place the chicken and bell pepper mixture on a serving platter; set aside, and keep warm.

    Add 2 tablespoons vinegar and water to pan; stir with a wooden spoon to loosen browned bits. Spoon mixture over chicken and bell pepper mixture.

    Nutritional Information

    Calories:
    288 (30% from fat)
    Fat:
    9.5g (sat 2g,mono 4.9g,poly 1.7g)
    Protein:
    31.3g
    Carbohydrate:
    19.4g
    Fiber:
    2.6g
    Cholesterol:
    74mg
    Iron:
    2.8mg
    Sodium:
    253mg
    Calcium:
    73m

    Cooking Light, JUNE 2000