Five-Spice Chicken Breasts with Hoisin Glaze

Ingredients
3 1/2 cups water
1/3 cup kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal)
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce
2 tablespoons five-spice powder
4 (6-ounce) boneless chicken breast halves
1 cup ice
2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
2 teaspoons dark sesame oil
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder
Cooking spray

Preparation
Combine first 4 ingredients in a large bowl, stirring until salt and sugar dissolve. Stir in 2 tablespoons five-spice powder. Pour salt mixture into a large zip-top plastic bag. Rinse chicken with cold water. Add chicken and ice to bag; seal. Refrigerate 2 hours, turning bag occasionally. Remove chicken from bag; discard brine. Pat chicken dry with paper towels.

Combine hoisin sauce and next 5 ingredients (hoisin sauce through 1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder).

Prepare the grill for indirect grilling, heating one side to medium and leaving one side with no heat.

Place chicken, skin side down, on grill rack coated with cooking spray over medium heat side. Close lid; grill chicken 8 minutes on each side, brushing occasionally with hoisin sauce mixture. Place chicken, skin side up, on unheated side; brush with hoisin sauce mixture. Grill an additional 5 minutes or until done. Discard skin; serve immediately.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: 1 chicken breast half)

Bruce Aidells , Cooking Light, JUNE 2004

Roasted Chicken with Asiago Polenta & Truffled Mushrooms

Doesn't this sound fabulous? Again, I haven't tried it--yet.

Ingredients
Chicken:
1 (5-pound) roasting chicken
1 1/2 teaspoons finely chopped fresh thyme
2 teaspoons fresh orange juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 orange, halved
6 garlic cloves, peeled
2 thyme sprigs
1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth, divided
Cooking spray
1/2 cup white wine
2 teaspoons all-purpose flour

Mushrooms:
2 teaspoons butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
12 ounces mixed wild mushrooms, sliced (about 8 cups)
1 (8-ounce) package presliced mushrooms
2 teaspoons truffle oil

Polenta:
2 cups fat-free milk
3/4 cup water
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup instant dry polenta
1/2 cup (2 ounces) grated Asiago cheese

Preparation
Preheat oven to 325°.

To prepare chicken, remove and discard giblets and neck from chicken. Rinse chicken under cold water; pat dry. Trim excess fat. Starting at neck cavity, loosen skin from breast and drumsticks by inserting fingers, gently pushing between skin and meat. Combine thyme, orange juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and garlic; rub over breast and drumsticks under loosened skin. Place orange halves in body cavity. Lift wing tips up and over back; tuck under chicken.

Combine 6 garlic cloves, 2 thyme sprigs, and 1 cup of broth in a shallow roasting pan. Place chicken on a rack coated with cooking spray; place rack in pan. Insert meat thermometer into the meaty part of thigh, making sure not to touch bone.

Bake at 325° for 2 hours or until thermometer registers 180°. Let stand 10 minutes. Discard skin. Place chicken on a platter, reserving drippings in pan; cover chicken and keep warm. Add wine to drippings in pan, scraping pan to loosen browned bits; discard thyme sprigs.

Place flour in a small saucepan; gradually add remaining broth, stirring with a whisk until blended. Set aside. Place a zip-top plastic bag inside a 2-cup glass measure. Pour pan drippings into bag; let stand 10 minutes (fat will rise to the top). Seal bag; carefully snip off 1 bottom corner of bag. Drain drippings into flour mixture in saucepan, stopping before fat layer reaches opening; discard fat. Bring mixture to a boil, and cook 1 minute or until thick, stirring constantly with a whisk. Keep warm.

To prepare mushrooms, melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and mushrooms; cook 5 minutes or until the mushrooms release moisture and darken, stirring frequently. Remove from heat; stir in truffle oil.

To prepare polenta, combine milk, water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat; bring to a boil. Gradually add polenta, stirring constantly with a whisk; reduce heat, and cook 2 minutes or until thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and stir in cheese. Serve with chicken, gravy, and mushrooms.

Yield
6 servings (serving size: about 6 ounces chicken, 2 1/2 tablespoons gravy, 1/2 cup polenta, and 1/2 cup mushrooms)

Cooking Light, DECEMBER 2004

Chicken, Endive & Blueberry Salad with Toasted Pecans

This dressing is great for any salad.

Ingredients
4 cups sliced Belgian endive (about 2 large heads)
1 cup gourmet salad greens
1 1/2 cups chopped roasted skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 cup fresh blueberries
2 1/2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
2 1/2 tablespoons honey
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup (2 ounces) crumbled goat cheese
2 tablespoons chopped pecans, toasted

Preparation
Combine first four ingredients in large bowl. Combine vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper; stir with whisk. Add dressing to endive mixture; toss gently. Sprinkle with cheese and pecans.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: about 1 1/2 cups)

Allison Fishman , Cooking Light, AUGUST 2003

Chicken Thighs with Tomatoes, Olives & Capers

I make this with chicken breasts instead.

Ingredients
8 skinless, boneless chicken thighs
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 tablespoon bottled minced garlic
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped pitted kalamata olives
2 teaspoons capers
1 (14.5-ounce) can no-salt-added diced tomatoes, undrained

Preparation
Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken; cook 4 minutes on each side. Remove chicken from pan; keep warm.

Add garlic to pan; sauté 30 seconds. Add remaining ingredients; scrape pan to loosen browned bits. Return chicken and accumulated juice to pan; reduce heat, and simmer 5 minutes or until chicken is done.

Yield
4 servings (serving size: 2 thighs and about 1/4 cup tomato mixture)

Allison Fishman , Cooking Light, AUGUST 2003

Chicken and Mushrooms in Garlic White Wine Sauce

Ingredients
4 ounces uncooked medium egg noodles
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon black pepper, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon bottled minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
1 (8-ounce) package presliced mushrooms
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation
Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and keep warm.

Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Place chicken breast halves in a shallow dish. Combine 1 tablespoon flour, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper, stirring well with a whisk. Sprinkle flour mixture over chicken; toss to coat.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken to pan; sauté 4 minutes or until browned. Remove chicken from pan. Add remaining 1 tablespoon oil to pan. Add garlic, tarragon, and mushrooms to pan; sauté for 3 minutes or until liquid evaporates and mushrooms darken. Add white wine to pan; cook 1 minute. Stir in remaining 1 tablespoon flour; cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in broth, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 1/8 teaspoon pepper; cook 1 minute or until slightly thick, stirring frequently.

Return chicken to the pan. Cover and simmer 2 minutes. Uncover; cook 1 minute or until chicken is done. Stir in noodles; cook 1 minute or until thoroughly heated. Place about 1 1/2 cups chicken mixture on each of 4 plates; top each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese.

Yield
4 servings

David Bonom , Cooking Light, NOVEMBER 2006

Coriander Chicken with Tomato Corn Relish

I love Cooking Light. They have the most delicious, easy recipes. This one was a big hit, and I've been asked for the recipe many times. I hope you enjoy it as much as my friends and family do!

Ingredients
Chicken:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Salad:
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 cup sliced green onion tops
2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh basil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1 (7-ounce) can whole-kernel corn, drained

Preparation
To prepare the chicken, heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Combine coriander and the next 5 ingredients (coriander through 1/8 teaspoon black pepper); rub evenly over both sides of chicken. Add chicken to pan; cook 5 minutes on each side or until done.

To prepare salad, combine tomatoes and remaining ingredients, tossing well. Slice chicken; serve over salad.
Yield

4 servings (serving size: about 4 1/2 ounces chicken and 3/4 cup salad)
Nutritional Information

David Bonom and Cynthia De Persio , Cooking Light, NOVEMBER 2003