Chicken

There was a time when chicken was reserved for Sunday dinner. (Think 1950s and earlier.)

Not any more. Now it's an anytime meal, as proven with these six recipes, including Shanghai Walnut Chicken and Good Luck Chicken Fricassee (who couldn't use a little good luck for the new year, right?). Enjoy!

EASY GREEN CHILE CHICKEN TACOS

This taco recipe is from Kaleigh McMordie, MCN, RDN, who not only posts recipes on VeryWell Fit, but has her own food site, called Lively Table.

For this recipe, Kaleigh wrote, “Instead of making the same old tacos this week, why not change things up with delicious and healthy green chile chicken tacos?

“This chicken taco recipe is super easy to make. Just boil the chicken in a bit of broth, shred, and add diced green chiles. It's a simple nutritious meal that the whole family will love.

“Corn tortillas are naturally whole grain, so they make a great choice for these tacos. Top with a bit of shredded red cabbage, creamy avocado, and fresh cilantro to make a weeknight meal.”

Total Time: 35 minutes; Prep Time: 5 minutes; CookTime: 30 minutes; Servings: 4 (2 tacos each)

To view this online, click here.

Ingredients

1 (8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breast

2 cloves garlic

1 fresh jalapeno

1 cup low sodium chicken broth

Water

1 can (7-ounce) diced green chiles

8 warm corn tortillas

1 small avocado, sliced

1 cup red cabbage, shredded

Fresh cilantro, to taste

Preparation

In a medium saucepan, add chicken, garlic, jalapeno, and broth. Add water to cover the chicken. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Remove chicken and shred using two forks. Discard garlic and jalapeno, reserving cooking liquid.

In a skillet, add green chiles and shredded chicken. Cook over low heat, stirring until warmed through and sauce is thickened. Add reserved cooking liquid as needed to keep the chicken moist.

Serve with warmed corn tortillas, avocado, cabbage, and cilantro.

Ingredient Variations and Substitutions

Use any type of tortilla that you like. Look for whole grain options, if possible.

You can also leave out the tortillas and serve the chicken on top of lettuce to make a taco salad or with brown rice and beans to make taco bowls.

Canned green chiles are usually found in the Mexican food aisle at the grocery store. They come in two varieties, spicy and mild. Choose the kind that best suits your taste.

Cooking and Serving Tips

Serve tacos with a side of low-sodium canned black beans for a quick and easy meal.

Add any toppings you like, such as your favorite salsa, tomatoes, or a dollop of plain Greek yogurt.

SHANGHAI WALNUT CHICKEN

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 4 servings

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/shanghai-walnut-chicken

Ingredients

2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce

1 Tbsp. reduced sodium soy sauce

1 tsp. rice vinegar

1/4 cup fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 Tbsp. cornstarch

1/4 tsp. toasted sesame oil

1 Tbsp. peanut or canola oil, divided

3/4 lb. chicken cutlets, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

1 green bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice

1 red bell pepper, cut in 1/2-inch dice

1 green chile pepper, thinly sliced

1 garlic clove, chopped

1 can (8 oz.) diced or sliced water chestnuts, rinsed and drained

1/4 cup coarsely chopped walnuts

Directions

In a small bowl, combine the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, vinegar, broth and cornstarch. Mix in the sesame oil. Set the seasoning sauce aside.

Set a wok or large frying pan over high heat. Drizzle in 2 teaspoons of the canola oil, swirling to coat the cooking surface. Stir-fry the chicken until it is white. Turn it out onto a plate.

Add the remaining oil to the pan. Stir-fry the green, red, and chile peppers, and the garlic, for 2 minutes. Return the chicken to the pan. Add the water chestnuts and walnuts. Restir the seasoning sauce and add. Stir-fry until the chicken is cooked through. Serve immediately, along with cooked rice, preferably brown.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 247; Fat: 10 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 5 g; Sodium: 378 mg; Protein: 22 g; Carbohydrates: 17 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 3 Medium-Fat Meat, 2 Vegetable

CHICKEN WITH SUN-DRIED TOMATOES

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings

Source: Magic Menus for People with Diabetes

Book Title: Magic Menus for People with Diabetes

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-with-sun-dried-tomatoes

Ingredients

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (about 1 pound total), trimmed of cartilage and fat

1/4 teaspoon salt (optional)

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

1 tablespoon canola oil

1 large shallot, minced

2/3 cup low-sodium, low-fat chicken broth

1/2 cup dry white wine

1/8 teaspoon marjoram

1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes, rehydrated in small bowl water

Directions

Cut each chicken breast half into 6 equal parts. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Saute chicken in oil over moderate heat, turning, until the chicken is just opaque throughout, 4-5 minutes.

Remove chicken with a slotted spoon. Add shallot to the skillet and sauté, stirring until softened, about 1 minute. Add broth, wine (much of the alcohol will evaporate, leaving only the flavor), marjoram, and tomatoes.

Bring to a boil over moderate heat and cook, uncovered, for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Return the chicken to the skillet. Simmer, gently spooning the sauce over the chicken, until heated through. Simmer until sauce is reduced by half.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 177; Fat: 5 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 155 mg; Cholesterol: 64 mg; Protein: 27 g; Carbohydrates: 3 g; Sugars: 2 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 4 Very Lean Meat, 1/2 Fat

SOUTHWESTERN CHICKEN SALAD

Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 servings

Source: 200 Healthy Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less!

Book Title: 200 Healthy Recipes in 30 Minutes or Less!

View online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/southwestern-chicken-salad

Ingredients

Salad:

1 cup cooked corn kernels

1 cup diced tomatoes

1 cup green peas, frozen and thawed

1/2 cup each sliced red and green pepper

1/3 cup canned black beans, drained

2 cups cooked, cubed chicken breast

Dressing:

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/4 cup lime juice

2 teaspoons cumin

1 tablespoon chopped cilantro

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon oregano

Directions

Combine all salad ingredients. In a blender or food processor, blend all dressing ingredients. Toss the dressing with the salad and serve.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 181; Fat: 6 g; Fiber: 4 g; Sodium: 94 mg; Cholesterol: 42 mg; Protein: 17 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g; Sugars: 4 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Very Lean Meat, 1 Starch, 1/2 Monounsaturated Fat

MIDDLE EASTERN-STYLE CHICKEN

Recipe Yield: Yield: 10 servings

Source: The Diabetes Snack Munch Nibble Nosh Book

Book Title: The Diabetes Snack Munch Nibble Nosh Book

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/middle-eastern-style-chicken

Ingredients

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed of all fat and cut into bite-sized pieces

2 cups frozen mixed pepper and onion stir-fry

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons olive oil

1 cup fat-free, low-sodium or regular chicken broth

1 (14-1/2 ounce) can low-sodium or regular diced tomato

1/2 cup dark raisins

1 large bay leaf

1-1/2 teaspoons dried thyme leaves

1 teaspoon cumin

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/8 teaspoon cloves

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Salt to taste (optional)

Directions

In a nonstick skillet coated with nonstick spray coating, cook the chicken pieces over medium heat, turning frequently, until they begin to brown.

Add the onion and pepper mixture, garlic, oil and 1 tablespoon of the broth to the skillet. Stir up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Raise the heat and bring to a boil.

Lower the heat again and cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, 2 or 3 minutes, or until the onion is slightly softened. Add the remaining broth, tomato, raisins, bay leaf, thyme, cumin, allspice, cloves, and black pepper.

Bring to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer, uncovered, about 20 minutes, or until the chicken is tender and the sauce has cooked down slightly. Remove the bay leaf and discard. Add salt to taste (if desired).

Serve at once, or transfer to a casserole, cover, and refrigerate. The chicken will keep for 2 to 3 days in the refrigerator.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 99; Fat: 2 g; Fiber: 1 g; Sodium: 106 mg; Cholesterol: 27 mg; Protein: 11 g; Carbohydrates: 9 g; Sugars: 7 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1/2 Carbohydrate, 1 Lean Meat

GOOD LUCK CHICKEN FRICASSEE

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 8 servings.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/good-luck-chicken-fricassee

Ingredients

1 cup dried black-eyed peas

1 medium onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 Tbsp. canola oil, divided

10 oz. crimini mushrooms, cut into 1/2- inch slices

1 Tbsp. fresh thyme, minced

1 1/2 lb. skinless boneless chicken breast

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

2 Tbsp. flour

2 1/2 cups fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 lb. spinach leaves, rinsed and drained

1/2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard, or to taste

Directions

Pick over peas, place in a saucepan and cover with cold water by 2 inches. Bring water to a boil and boil peas 2 minutes. Remove pan from heat. Soak peas 1 hour and drain.

In a heavy kettle, heat 1 tablespoon oil over moderate heat until hot Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion softens. Add mushrooms and thyme and cook, stirring, until mushrooms are tender and liquid evaporates. Transfer mixture to a bowl.

Cut chicken into bite-sized pieces. Season with salt and pepper. Heat remaining tablespoon of oil in kettle and cook chicken, stirring, until browned. Sprinkle flour over chicken, stirring, to coat. Add broth and bring to boil. Stir in peas and mushroom mixture. Simmer, covered, about 20 minutes or until peas are tender.

While mixture is cooking, cut spinach leaves into thin strips.

When peas in simmering mixture are tender, stir spinach into the chicken mixture. Gradually blend in mustard to taste. Simmer gently, stirring, 2 minutes,or just until spinach is tender. (Be careful to not overcook.) Add salt and pepper to taste.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 232; Fat: 5 g; Fiber: 6 g; Sodium: 286 mg; Protein: 28 g; Carbohydrates: 19 g