Healthy Apricot Chicken
Apricot chicken can indeed be a flavorful and nutritious dish. Here are some reasons why:
- Natural Sweetness: Apricots bring a natural sweetness to the dish, enhancing the flavor profile and adding a unique twist. The combination of savory and sweet elements can make it a tasty and enjoyable meal.
- Lean Protein: Chicken is a great source of lean protein, which is essential for muscle growth, repair, and overall health. It provides satiety and helps maintain steady blood sugar levels.
- Vitamins and Minerals: Apricots are rich in essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber. These nutrients support immune function, vision health, electrolyte balance, and digestive health.
- Antioxidants: Apricots contain antioxidants like beta-carotene, which helps protect the body against oxidative stress and cell damage caused by harmful free radicals.
- Healthy Cooking Methods: Baking or grilling the chicken, rather than frying, helps retain its nutritional value while minimizing the need for added fats. This contributes to a healthier overall dish.
- Customizable Ingredients: Apricot chicken recipes can be easily customized to incorporate other nutritious ingredients, such as vegetables like bell peppers, onions, or spinach, which add fiber, vitamins, and minerals to the dish.
- Balanced Meal: Pairing apricot chicken with whole grains like quinoa, brown rice, or whole wheat couscous, along with a side of steamed vegetables, can create a well-balanced and nutritious meal that provides a range of essential nutrients.
As with any dish, the specific nutritional content may vary depending on the recipe and cooking methods used. It’s always a good idea to choose recipes that align with your dietary needs and preferences and to focus on overall dietary balance.
Apricot Chicken
Healthy Apricot Chicken Cooking Time
Bake for 40 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 600g skinless chicken thigh fillets, fat trimmed, cut into 3cm pieces
- 1 large onion, halved, thinly sliced
- 2 sticks celery, thinly sliced
- 2 carrots, peeled, cut into chunks
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
- 125ml (1/2 cup) Massel salt reduced chicken style liquid stock
- 250ml (1 cup) apricot nectar
- 35g (1/4 cup) chopped dried apricots
- 400g can Coles Cannellini Beans, drained, rinsed
- Steamed snow peas, to serve
- Broccolini, to serve
Preparation
Step 1
Preheat oven to 170C/ 150C fan forced. Heat half the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish over high heat. Cook the chicken, in 2 batches, for 1-2 minutes each side or until golden. Transfer to a plate.
Step 2
Heat remaining oil in same dish over medium heat. Add the onion, celery and carrot and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 30 seconds or until fragrant. Return chicken to dish. Stir in the mustard, stock, apricot nectar and dried apricots and bring to the boil. Cover dish with a lid or foil.
Step 3
Bake for 40 minutes, adding cannellini beans for last 10 minutes of cooking time. Serve with steamed snow peas and broccolini.
