Maple-Walnut Chicken

For this week's challenge, I bought all the ingredients to make all 3 of the recipes, but that was me being overly ambitious because I only had time for the chicken!

I didn't make too many changes to the original recipe, except that I didn't even entertain the thought of spinach as a side! (Ew!) Instead I served corn and green beans, much better!

(Skip the following text unless you plan to make it- its just boring directions and scroll down for my opinion)

INGREDIENTS:

• 4  (6- to 7-ounce) skinless chicken-breast halves
• 1 tablespoon(s) olive oil
• 1 tablespoon(s) chopped thyme leaves
• 1/2 cup(s) walnuts
• 5 tablespoon(s) cider vinegar
• 3 tablespoon(s) maple syrup
• 1 package(s) (8.5-ounce) precooked whole-grain pilaf

DIRECTIONS:

First, start on the rice. It takes over 20 minutes of simmering, so get it to the simmering part, then work on the chicken.

Put the chicken on a cutting board, brush them with oil, then sprinkle with thyme, salt & pepper. Flip them over and do the same thing to the other side. Set aside and let stand.

Heat a nonstick skillet and toast the walnuts on medium 4 to 6 minutes or until golden and fragrant, stirring occasionally. Transfer walnuts to dish; do not remove skillet from heat.

Add chicken to same skillet; cook 12 minutes or until golden brown and juices run clear when pierced with tip of knife, turning frequently. I turned the chicken almost every minute. Transfer chicken to clean plate; do not remove skillet from heat.

To same skillet, add vinegar and cook 1 minute, stirring. Add syrup and 1/2 cup water; simmer 6 to 7 minutes or until mixture has thickened, stirring occasionally.

Stir walnuts and any chicken juices into sauce. Divide pilaf and veggies among 4 dinner plates. Top with chicken, and spoon maple-walnut sauce all around.


MY OPINION
I thought the flavor of the chicken was good, but I would probably make more sauce because I like a really moist chicken and wish there was more sauce to drown it in. I also would probably not add the walnuts next time- I like nuts an a little extra crunch, but I thought for this meal it didn't add any value and just cost more.


Enchilada Scale: 7.0