Chicken

There was a time when chicken was the go-to Sunday dinner, with all the fixings (think early- to mid-twentieth century).

Now, it's an anytime meal. Check out today's six chicken recipes, including Apricot-Orange Chicken with Glazed Onions and Stuffed Tomatoes with Smoked Chicken and Tabouli. Enjoy!

CHICKEN GREEN CHILE FOOTBALL EMPANADAS

This is from Old El Paso, and begins, "Are you ready for some football empanadas? These chile- and cheese-filled pies are a cinch to make and look great on your gameday appetizer table."

Prep Time: 35 minutes; Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes; Makes 12 servings

To view this online, go to https://www.oldelpaso.com/recipes/chicken-green-chile-football-empanadas.

Ingredients

3/4 cup chopped cooked chicken

1/2 cup sliced green onions

1/2 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend (2 oz)

1 can (4.5 oz) Old El Paso™ chopped green chiles

2 oz cream cheese (from 8-oz package), softened

4 teaspoons Old El Paso™ chicken taco seasoning mix (from 0.85-oz package)

1 egg, beaten

1 teaspoon water

1 box Pillsbury™ refrigerated pie crusts, softened as directed on box

Guacamole, if desired

Salsa, if desired

Preparation

Heat oven to 375°F. Line large rimmed pan with cooking parchment paper. In medium bowl, mix chicken, green onions, cheese, chiles, cream cheese and taco seasoning mix. In small bowl, mix egg and water.

Unroll one of the pie crusts. Using 4 1/2-inch football cookie cutter, cut out 12 footballs from crust, rerolling dough scraps together as necessary. Repeat with second pie crust, to total 24 footballs.

Place about 2 tablespoons filling in center of football; spread slightly to create even layer on dough with 1/4-inch border around all sides. Brush egg wash around outer edge of football, then gently stretch second dough football and place over top; using fork, crimp edges to seal together. Repeat with remaining pieces of dough. Place on pan.

Using paring knife, score laces into top of each empanada.

Brush tops with egg wash. Bake 27 to 30 minutes or until golden brown. Serve with guacamole and salsa.

Expert Tips

We used rotisserie chicken for this recipe, but feel free to use leftover chicken breasts or thighs.

Don’t have a football-shaped cutter? Use a pliable 3 1/2-inch round cutter, and bend into the shape of a football.

Exchanges: 1 Starch; 0 Fruit; 0 Other Carbohydrate; 0 Skim Milk; 0 Low-Fat Milk; 0 Milk; 0 Vegetable; 0 Very Lean Meat; 0 Lean Meat; 0 High-Fat Meat; 2 1/2 Fat; Carbohydrate Choices: 1

CHICKEN AND VEGETABLE CURRY

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 Servings

Source: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes

Book Title: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-and-vegetable-curry.

Ingredients

Vegetable Cooking Spray

12-16 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic

1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets

2 medium potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

2 large carrots, cut into 1/2-inch slices

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

3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon ground coriander

1 tablespoon flour

2 tablespoon cold water

1 large tomato, chopped

2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley

1-2 tablespoons lemon juice

Salt, cayenne, and black pepper, to taste

Ingredients

Spray large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Saute chicken, onion, and garlic until chicken is browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Add cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, broth, and herbs to saucepan; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until chicken and vegetables are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.

Heat mixture to boiling. Mix flour and water; stir into boiling mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Stir in tomato, parsley, and lemon juice; simmer 2 to 3 minutes longer. Season to taste with salt, cayenne, and black pepper.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 250; Fat: 3.1 g; Sodium: 203 mg; Cholesterol: 51.7 mg; Protein: 28.4 g; Carbohydrates: 29 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 1 Bread, 2 Meat

CHICKEN WITH TRI-COLORED PEPPERS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings

Source: The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible

Book Title: The Diabetes Food and Nutrition Bible

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-with-tri-colored-peppers.

Ingredients

2 teaspoons canola oil

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 2-inch strips

1/2 cup diced onion

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 each small red, yellow, and green bell peppers, seeded and sliced into 1-inch strips

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

2 tablespoons lite soy sauce

1 tablespoon white wine (optional)

1/2 teaspoon sesame oil

2 teaspoons cornstarch

Directions

In a wok or heavy skillet over medium-high heat, heat the canola oil. Add the chicken and saute for 2 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and saute for 4-5 minutes more.

Remove the chicken and onion from the pan. Add the peppers and saute for 5 minutes.

Combine the broth, soy sauce, white wine, sesame oil, and cornstarch in a measuring cup and mix well.

Add the sauce to the peppers. Add the chicken and onions back to the pan. Stir for 1-2 minutes until sauce has thickened.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 204; Fat: 6 g; Sodium: 425 mg; Cholesterol: 68 mg; Protein: 27 g; Carbohydrates: 10 g

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

APRICOT-ORANGE CHICKEN WITH GLAZED ONIONS

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings; Serving Size: 1/4 of recipe

Source: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking

Book Title: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking

You can view this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/apricot-orange-chicken-with-glazed-onions.

Ingredients

1 whole roasted deli chicken, skinned

3 tablespoons no-added-sugar apricot preserves, divided

3 tablespoons no-added-sugar orange marmalade, divided

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, divided

Nonstick cooking spray

1 large onion, quartered

1 clove garlic, minced

Directions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. In small bowl, blend 1 tablespoon each apricot preserves, marmalade, and vinegar.

Place chicken in baking pan coated with nonstick cooking spray. Add water to pan to a depth of 1/4-1/2 inch. Brush chicken with preserve mixture. Combine the remaining preserves, marmalade, vinegar, onion, and garlic and spoon around the chicken.

Roast, covered, for 25 minutes. Uncover and roast for 10 more minutes, until onion is tender.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 278; Fat: 9 g; Sodium: 110 mg; Cholesterol: 100 mg; Protein: 34 g; Carbohydrates: 15 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Carbohydrate, 4 Lean Meat

LOW-FAT OVEN-FRIED CHICKEN

Recipe Yield: Yield: 6 servings

Source: The New Family Cookbook for People With Diabetes

Book Title: The New Family Cookbook for People With Diabetes

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/low-fat-oven-fried-chicken.

Ingredients

1 cup plain low-fat yogurt

1 teaspoon paprika

1 teaspoon dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 clove garlic, minced

6 skinless chicken breast halves or 6 skinless chicken thighs (1-3/4 to 2 pounds)

1 cup seasoned bread crumbs

1 tablespoon margarine, melted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Combine the yogurt, paprika, thyme, salt, pepper, and garlic in a large bowl; mix well. Coat the chicken with the mixture. (The chicken may be covered and refrigerated overnight or baked immediately.)

Prepare a shallow roasting pan or jelly roll pan with a nonstick pan spray. Combine the bread crumbs and margarine in a shallow dish. Coat the chicken with the crumbs; place in the pan.

Bake breasts for 25 minutes, thighs for 30 to 35 minutes, or until tender.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 240; Fat: 8 g; Sodium: 721 mg; Cholesterol: 69 mg; Protein: 26 g; Carbohydrates: 16 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch, 3 Lean Meat

STUFFED TOMATOES WITH SMOKED CHICKEN AND TABOULI

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 servings Serving Size: 1 tomato, 6 ounces tabouli mixture

Source: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking

Book Title: Express Lane Diabetic Cooking

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/stuffed-tomatoes-with-smoked-chicken-and-tabouli.

Ingredients

1 cup deli tabouli (bulgur)

1 cup diced, seeded cucumber

1 cup diced smoked chicken breast

4 medium ripe, firm tomatoes

2 teaspoons olive oil

4 tablespoons deli hummus

Directions

Add the cucumber and chicken to the prepared tabouli mixture and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

Take each tomato and cut off the top (set aside). Scoop out the pulp and discard. Fill the cavity with the tabouli mixture. Drizzle 1/2 teaspoon olive oil over each tomato and put 1 tablespoon hummus on top of that. Cover the filled tomato with the tomato top and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 158; Fat: 5 g; Sodium: 572 mg; Cholesterol: 16 mg; Protein: 10 g; Carbohydrates: 18 g

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

Friday Recipes

As promised, I'm posting today, and (most likely) taking off for the weekend, as usual.

If you're like me, you probably have tons of left-overs from Thanksgiving (in the U.S.). I'll probably be working on that for a couple of days. (Sound familiar?) But if you'd like to make something a little different, here are six recipes to help you through the weekend, including Good Luck Chicken Fricassee and Meringue Tartlets with Pears and Shaved Chocolate. Enjoy!

CHICKEN AND VEGETABLE CURRY

Recipe Yield: Yield: 4 Servings

Source: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes

Book Title: 1,001 Recipes For People with Diabetes

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/chicken-and-vegetable-curry.

Ingredients

Vegetable Cooking Spray

12-16 ounces boneless, skinless chicken breast, cubed

1/2 cup chopped onion

2 cloves garlic

1 medium head cauliflower, cut into florets

2 medium potatoes, peeled, cut into 1/2-inch cubes

2 large carrots, cut into 1/2-inch slices

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

3/4 teaspoon ground turmeric

1/4 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon ground coriander

1 tablespoon flour

2 tablespoon cold water

1 large tomato, chopped

2 tablespoons finely chopped parsley

1-2 tablespoons lemon juice

Salt, cayenne, and black pepper, to taste

Directions

Spray large saucepan with cooking spray; heat over medium heat until hot. Saute chicken, onion, and garlic until chicken is browned, 5 to 6 minutes. Add cauliflower, potatoes, carrots, broth, and herbs to saucepan; heat to boiling. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until chicken and vegetables are tender, 10 to 15 minutes.

Heat mixture to boiling. Mix flour and water; stir into boiling mixture. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened. Stir in tomato, parsley, and lemon juice; simmer 2 to 3 minutes longer. Season to taste with salt, cayenne, and black pepper.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 250; Fat: 3.1 g; Sodium: 203 mg; Cholesterol: 51.7 mg; Protein: 28.4 g; Carbohydrates: 29 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 2 Vegetable, 1 Bread, 2 Meat

VEGETABLE AND BEAN SOUP

Yield: 6 servings

Online: http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/900.shtml

Source: The Everyday Low-Carb Slow Cooker Cookbook

Book Info: http://diabeticgourmet.com/book_archive/details/15.shtml

Easy substitution: To make this soup completely vegetarian, substitute vegetable broth for the chicken broth, and additional olive oil for the butter.

Ingredients

1 (14.5 ounce) can diced tomatoes

2 (14.5) cans chicken broth

1 cube vegetable bouillon

1 medium onion, finely chopped

1 (15.5 ounce) can kidney beans, drained

1 red bell pepper, finely chopped

2 carrots, finely chopped

2 celery stalks, finely chopped

2 summer squashes (zucchini or yellow squash, about 1 pound total), quartered lengthwise and chopped

1 (7 ounce) can sliced mushrooms, drained

1 tablespoon minced garlic

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce (about 4 shakes) (optional)

Directions

Combine all ingredients in the slow cooker crock and mix well.

Cover and cook on LOW for 8 hours.

Stir well before serving.

If desired, stir in Tabasco sauce before serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 210; Protein: 8 g; Fat: 9 g ; Sodium: 1020 mg; Cholesterol: 14 mg; Carbohydrates: 18 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Lean Meat, 2 Fat, 2 Vegetable

LEMON CHIFFON PIE

Recipe Yield: Servings: 8

View this online at http://diabeticgourmet.com/recipes/html/157.shtml.

Ingredients

3 tbsp margarine

3 tbsp sugar

3/4 cup graham wafer crumbs

1/2 tsp lemon peel, grated

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp salt

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1/4 cup lemon juice

1/8 tsp allspice

1/2 cup sweetener equivalent to sugar

1 tbsp unflavored gelatin (1 pkg)

1/3 cup powdered skim milk

1/2 cup water

1/3 cup ice water

2 eggs, separated

1 tbsp lemon juice

Directions

Melt margarine in a pie plate at high for 30-45 seconds. Combine graham crumbs and spices. Add to pie plate and combine well with a fork. Spread evenly over bottom of pie plate. Microwave at high for 3-5 min, watching carefully to prevent scorching. Allow to cool before filling.

In a large measure, sprinkle gelatin on 1/2 cup water. Allow to soften. In a separate bowl, combine egg yolks, sugar, lemon peel, salt and 1/4 cup lemon juice. Microwave at medium for 5-8 min until mixture comes to a boil stirring every 2 minutes. Add gelatin and sweetener and mix well. Refrigerate until slightly thickened.

Beat egg whites, powdered milk, ice water and 1 tbsp lemon juice until stiff. Carefully fold gelatin mixture into egg whites. Pour into crust. Refrigerate for 2 hours before serving.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 115; Fat: 5 g; Protein: 4 g; Carbohydrates: 15 g

Diabetic Exchanges: 1 Starch/Bread, 1 Fat

GRILLED INDIAN KABOBS WITH SWEET ONIONS AND RED BELL PEPPERS

Recipe Yield: Serves 8-10.

Source: NPB

Recipe and image appear courtesy of the National Pork Board.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipe/grilled-indian-kabobs-with-sweet-onions-and-red-bell-peppers.

Ingredients

1 bone-in sirloin pork roast, about 4 pounds, boned and cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes

2 large red bell peppers, seeded, deribbed, and cut into 1-inch squares

2 large sweet onions, such as Walla Walla or Vidalia, cut into 1-inch chunks

12 (12-inch) skewers , soaked in water for at least 30 minutes

Vegetable oil cooking spray

Indian Spice Paste:

4 large cloves garlic

2 tablespoons curry powder

1 tablespoon kosher salt

1 tablespoon ground cumin

1 tablespoon ground coriander

1/4 teaspoon cayenne

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons water

Directions

To make Indian spice paste, place garlic in food processor and process until minced. Add spices, lemon juice, oil, and water. Process until thoroughly combined.

Place pork in large self-sealing plastic bag. Pour paste over pork and mix pork with paste until pork is evenly coated. Seal bag and refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours.

Prepare medium-hot fire in charcoal grill or preheat gas grill to medium high. Thread pork onto skewers, alternating with pieces of red pepper and onion. Spray grill grate with vegetable oil spray. Grill kabobs directly over medium-hot fire, turning to brown evenly on all sides, for total of 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to warm platter or individual dinner plates and serve.

Notes:

These delicious, colorful kabobs are terrific served with a medley of grilled vegetables. The Indian spice rub can be made several days in advance. Place in a covered jar and refrigerate until ready to use.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 225; Saturated Fat: 2 g; Fiber: 2 g; Sodium: 420 mg; Cholesterol: 80 mg; Protein: 27 g; Carbohydrates: 8 g

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

MERINGUE TARTLETS WITH PEARS AND SHAVED CHOCOLATE

Recipe Yield: Yield: Makes 8 servings.

View this online at https://diabeticgourmet.com/diabetic-recipes/meringue-tartlets-with-pears-and-shaved-chocolate

Ingredients

1 cup water

1 cup orange juice without pulp

2 cloves

4 ripe pears – Bosc or Anjou varieties (peeled, halved and cored)

1 Tbsp. plus 1/4 cup sugar, divided

4 large, room temperature egg whites

Dash of cream of tartar

Dash of salt

2 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. shaved chocolate, from a good-quality dark chocolate bar

Directions

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large baking pan, combine water, orange juice, 1 Tbsp. sugar and cloves. Add pears. Poach pears in the oven until soft. Remove pears from liquid and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and salt. Beat with an electric mixer at medium speed until the eggs are frothy (about 1 minute). With the mixer at high speed, add the remaining 1/4 cup sugar, one tablespoon at a time. Beat for roughly 6 minutes or until stiff, glossy peaks form.

Drop the meringue onto the prepared baking sheet in eight 3- to 4-inch-diameter rounds, smoothing the edges. Bake for 1 hour. Turn the oven off, but leave the meringues in the oven for about 12 hours. Do not open the oven door.

When ready to serve, gently peel the meringues off the parchment paper.

Place each pear half in a bowl and top with one meringue. To garnish, shave chocolate from the side of the chocolate bar using a vegetable peeler. Note, it may help if the chocolate bar is cold, so refrigerate for several minutes prior. Garnish each meringue with 1 teaspoon shaved chocolate.

Nutritional Information Per Serving: Calories: 117; Fat: 2 g; Saturated Fat: 1 g; Fiber: 3 g; Sodium: 65 mg; Protein: 3 g; Carbohydrates: 24 g