Yields Makes 4 servings
Light cooking tip: Use dried fruit as the base for a flavorful sauce for braised poultry.

Notes: John C. Klock, M.D., of Holistica Hawaii Preventative Medicine Center teaches clients how to cook healthfully with dishes like this chicken.

How to Make It

Step 1
1

Cut figs into quarters and place in a small bowl; cover with hot water and soak until soft, about 15 minutes. Lift figs from liquid and place in a blender or food processor. Add 1/3 cup of the soaking liquid (discard remainder) and the broth, coriander, and dry mustard; whirl until smooth.

Step 2
2

Rinse chicken and pat dry. Set a 10- to 12-inch nonstick frying pan over high heat. When hot, add 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil and tilt pan to coat bottom. Add chicken in a single layer and cook, turning once, until browned on both sides, 4 to 6 minutes total. Transfer to a plate.

Step 3
3

Reduce heat to medium-high. Add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and onion; stir often until onion is limp and beginning to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add flour and stir to coat onion. Add fig mixture and stir until boiling.

Step 4
4

Return chicken to pan. Cover and simmer over low heat until chicken is no longer pink in center of thickest part (cut to test), 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 5
5

With tongs, transfer chicken to plates. Stir sherry into sauce. If desired for a smoother sauce, pour through a fine strainer into a bowl. Spoon sauce equally over chicken, then drizzle each portion with 1 tablespoon vinegar. Sprinkle with chives and add salt and pepper to taste.

Ingredients

 6 dried Black Mission figs
 1 cup fat-skimmed chicken broth
 1 teaspoon ground coriander
 1 teaspoon dry mustard
 4 boned, skinned chicken breast halves (4 to 6 oz. each)
 1 tablespoon olive oil
 1 onion (about 8 oz.), peeled and chopped
 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
 1/3 cup dry sherry
 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
  Thinly sliced fresh chives
  Salt and pepper

Directions

Step 1
1

Cut figs into quarters and place in a small bowl; cover with hot water and soak until soft, about 15 minutes. Lift figs from liquid and place in a blender or food processor. Add 1/3 cup of the soaking liquid (discard remainder) and the broth, coriander, and dry mustard; whirl until smooth.

Step 2
2

Rinse chicken and pat dry. Set a 10- to 12-inch nonstick frying pan over high heat. When hot, add 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil and tilt pan to coat bottom. Add chicken in a single layer and cook, turning once, until browned on both sides, 4 to 6 minutes total. Transfer to a plate.

Step 3
3

Reduce heat to medium-high. Add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and onion; stir often until onion is limp and beginning to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Add flour and stir to coat onion. Add fig mixture and stir until boiling.

Step 4
4

Return chicken to pan. Cover and simmer over low heat until chicken is no longer pink in center of thickest part (cut to test), 5 to 7 minutes.

Step 5
5

With tongs, transfer chicken to plates. Stir sherry into sauce. If desired for a smoother sauce, pour through a fine strainer into a bowl. Spoon sauce equally over chicken, then drizzle each portion with 1 tablespoon vinegar. Sprinkle with chives and add salt and pepper to taste.

Chicken with Fig Sauce

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