Cider Chicken
Like many French classics, Normandy-style chicken is known for its lavish sauce. Yet it can retain surprisingly rich character even when the sauce is adjusted to meet low-fat criteria. The secret, an unlikely ingredient, is cooked breakfast cereal. It adds more flavor than cornstarch, and the sauce retains its texture with long cooking better than a cornstarch-thickened sauce
How to Make It
Step 1
1
In an 8- to 10-inch nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat, boil shallots, thyme, and 1/2 cup water until pan is dry. Stir often until shallots are light brown, 8 to 10 minutes total.
Step 2
2
Add cider, calvados, and prunes to pan; bring to a boil. Lift out prunes and set aside. Boil liquid down to 3/4 cup. Add milk and cereal and stir until boiling.
Step 3
3
In a blender, puree sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 4
4
In each of 4 shallow casseroles (5 by 8 in.), place a half breast; cover with sauce.
Step 5
5
Bake in a 450° oven until meat is white in thickest part (cut to test), about 12 minutes. Add prunes.
Ingredients
1/2 cup minced shallots
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1 1/4 cups cider or apple juice
1/4 cup calvados or brandy
2/3 cup pitted prunes
3/4 cup nonfat milk
3 tablespoons quick-cooking rice cereal
Salt and pepper
4 boned, skinned chicken breast halves, rinsed
Directions
Step 1
1
In an 8- to 10-inch nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat, boil shallots, thyme, and 1/2 cup water until pan is dry. Stir often until shallots are light brown, 8 to 10 minutes total.
Step 2
2
Add cider, calvados, and prunes to pan; bring to a boil. Lift out prunes and set aside. Boil liquid down to 3/4 cup. Add milk and cereal and stir until boiling.
Step 3
3
In a blender, puree sauce. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Step 4
4
In each of 4 shallow casseroles (5 by 8 in.), place a half breast; cover with sauce.
Step 5
5
Bake in a 450° oven until meat is white in thickest part (cut to test), about 12 minutes. Add prunes.
Search All of Sunset's Recipes
The Latest
The Viral Grocery Shopping Method That Can Save You Time and Money
