Balsamic Chicken with Spinach and Kale
25Here’s a very healthy meal to combat my prior calorie-laden post. I got this recipe from my Ellie Krieger cookbook, The Food You Crave (which I recommend if you are looking for a cookbook full of healthful recipes). It’s not that different from other things I’ve made – I am, after all, the queen of making chicken with some sort of pan sauce – but it’s tasty and incredibly easy. It combines a whole grain, green vegetable, and lean protein all in one and takes no time to make.
The original recipe calls for serving this with baby spinach and couscous, but I decided to use up some leftover greens I had from spanakopita (spinach/kale/leeks) as well as bulgur, since we were out of couscous (and I actually like bulgur a little better). I also cooked the garlic with the sauce, rather than with the chicken, and made a few other changes. This is a tasty, healthy weeknight meal.
Balsamic Chicken with Spinach and Kale
Serves 2
Heavily adapted from Ellie Krieger
1/2 Tbsp. olive oil
2 boneless/skinless chicken breast halves
8 oz. greens (I used a mix of spinach, kale and leeks)
2 cloves garlic
1 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup diced tomatoes with juice
2 cups cooked whole wheat couscous or bulgur
Heat a saute pan over medium heat. Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper, and then add to the hot oil to cook through. Set aside.
Add the kale/spinach and some salt and pepper to taste to the same pan, and cook until wilted. Set aside.
Add the garlic to the pan and saute until fragrant. Stir in the chicken broth and balsamic vinegar, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Add the tomatoes. Season the sauce to taste and simmer 3-4 minutes (adding chicken back at the end, if necessary, to warm). Serve the chicken, kale, and sauce over bulgur or couscous.
Oh yum! I am for sure making this for dinner tomorrow!
Love those greens you got in ze mix! I have never made bulgar before but it looks like a nice bed there.
There is everything I love in one plate.
This looks great, and I like you, prefer bulgur to couscous.
This looks fantastic. I am adding to my menu soon.
This looks delicious! I’m definitely going to try it soon!
I love this recipe and it’s so quick and easy to pull together! I also love pan sauces for chicken – it’s my favorite way to cook chicken! Hope you are doing well 🙂
Definitely bookmarking this. We need to get more greens in and this looks like a delicious way to do it.
This is a great recipe. Kale is so underrated.
I love your easy recipes. A few ingredients, but it looks so tasty. I often make your Mongolian Beef, yummee!!!
What a tasty looking meal! I like all of the vibrant colours and the flavours!
This is right up our alley – tasty and healthy with the greens mixed in 🙂 I love couscous but have never tried bulgur and definitely need to.
Looks tasty and juicy. I love balsamic vinegar when it is used in cooking. This is on my list for monday.
I love a rich balsamic, and this looks right up my alley! Especially with the leeks, love them!
Oh! I love balsamic, it sure gives the chicken a very nice flavor…great photo as well 🙂
Looks flavorful and healthy! I’ve been on an “unhealthy” spree lately and need to get back to more dishes like this.
I made this tonight (just did a search for “chicken kale”) It was great, so pretty on the plate. thank you!
Glad you liked it, Katie!
I just got kale in our CSA box for the first time. I think I’m going to try it out with this recipe!
Made this last night for dinner with whole wheat Israeli couscous – my 5 year old son thought it was absolutely fabulous – and so did we! Definitely being added to the rotation.
Glad to hear it, Julianna!
Love the recipe! So healthy. Added garbanzo beans at the end as I was cooking down the liquid from the broth and tomatoes. Delish! Also added ground flaxseed to the couscous for additional nutrition! Lovely!