I often run across recipes with ingredients that don’t seem to make a tasty combination. But once in a while, for a change of pace, I like to try something new just to see if it will pass the “husband test.” Most guys have their favorite meals and tend not to venture too far from their old standbys.
They’ll ask about dinner, hoping it’s their favorite meat-and-potatoes meal. So it was quite a surprise the time I told my “better half” he was getting a chicken dish with carrots and grapes and he seemed happy to be a guinea pig for the unusual new recipe. I thought I’d hear a few negative comments, but he tried it, and even more surprising, he actually liked the odd combination of ingredients.
If you’re feeling adventurous, I recommend trying this recipe. It makes a colorful meal, and it’s easy on the taste buds.
HONEY-SPICED CHICKEN WITH CARROTS AND GRAPES
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves (about 1 pound)
3 medium carrots, cut into julienne strips (about 2 cups)
2 cups seedless red or green grapes, cut in half
1/3 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon honey
1 tablespoon balsamic or red wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 teaspoons olive oil
Hot cooked brown rice, if desired
Chopped fresh parsley, if desired
Remove fat from chicken. Place chicken in skillet with olive oil and brown slightly; then add remaining ingredients, except rice and parsley, in a 10-inch nonstick skillet. Heat to boiling; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until juice of chicken is no longer pink when center of thickest pieces are cut.
Remove chicken from skillet and keep warm. Heat vegetables and other ingredients (except rice and parsley) in skillet to boiling and reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve chicken over rice, if desired; pour vegetables over chicken and sprinkle with parsley, if using.
Brotherton offers website readers one stellar recipe a week in the “My Leader Yummy” feature.
Looking for a recipe you can’t find? Email me at kbrotherton42@gmail.com and I’ll see if I have it.
