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Low Fat Balsamic Chicken with Pears

This wonderful low-fat chicken recipe has been adapted from the cookbook The Convent Cook, by Maria Tisdall.   -Linda Stradley What's Cooking America

6 chicken breasts halves (3 to 4-ounce each), boneless and skinless
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 shallot, chopped
2 medium pears, peeled, cored, and sliced
1 cup chicken broth or stock (all fat removed)
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/2 cup dried tart cherries

Pat chicken dry with paper towels. One at a time, place the chicken breast between two sheets of plastic wrap. Using a meat mallet, carefully pound the chicken breasts to a uniform thickness of approximately 1/2-inch. Season on both sides with salt and pepper.

In a large frying pan over medium-high heat, add the olive oil. When the oil is hot, add the chicken and saute, turning once, for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until golden brown. Remove from heat and transfer to a platter, cover, and keep warm.

To the same pan, add the shallot and saute over medium-high heat for 2 minutes or until soft; decrease heat to medium and add the pears. Continue sauteing, stirring occasionally for 3 to 4 minutes, until the pears are soft and golden brown.

To prepare the sauce, combine chicken broth, balsamic vinegar, sugar, and cornstarch in a small bowl. Pour over the pear mixture; add the cherries. Increase heat to high and simmer, stirring frequently for 6 to 8 minutes or until the sauce thicken slightly. Return the chicken and any juices to the pan. Bring the mixture back to a simmer; decrease heat to medium. Cook for 10 minutes or until a meat thermometer registers an internal temperature of 165 degrees F (juices will run clear when cut with the tip of a knife). Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Remove chicken from heat.

Place the chicken on individual serving plates or on a large platter. Using a slotted spoon, mound the fruit over the top. Spoon the sauce over the fruit and around the chicken. Serve immediately.

Makes 6 servings.

Balsamic Chicken with Pears - Nutritional Information

I cannot guarantee the accuracy of the below information. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. You should seek prompt medical care for any specific health issues and consult your physician before starting a new fitness regimen.

Item

Amount

Fat Grams

Calories

WW Points

chicken breast halves

6

9

778.9

16

olive oil

1 tablespoon

14

40

2.4

shallot

1

0

7

.6

pears, medium

2

1.4

196

4.5

chicken broth

1 cup

.5

20

.9

balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup

0

20

.9

sugar

2 tablespoons

0

96

2.4

cornstarch

2 teaspoons

0

26

1

cherries, dried

1/2 cup

.4

217

4.8

Recipe Totals

 

25.3

1400.9

33.5

Recipe makes 6 servings.

Each Serving Totals - 4.2 Fat Grams, 233 calories, 5.5 WW Points

What's Cooking America