Chicken Baked with Leeks on Zucchnini Spaghetti

Posted by Margalit

We eat an amazing amount of chicken in my family. As the mother of a teenage boy, serving vegetarian entrees every night just doesn't cut it. He eats too much and just isn't full enough unless there is some sort of meat or fish protein in the meal. Since I'm not big on beef, chicken is a suitable answer. But how many ways can you actually cook chicken so it seems new, different, but healthy? Well, recently I've been challanging myself to find or make up good recipes that are not the same old same old baked chicken. This was tonight's entry into the Chicken Hall of Fame. It was that good.

Chicken Baked with Leeks on Zucchini Spaghetti

Yield: 8 servings

* 4 large zucchini, sliced lengthwise - cut into spaghetti strips
* 1/2 cup olive oil
* Flour for dredging
* 8 large halved chicken breasts, skin removed
* Salt
* freshly ground black pepper
* 3 cups leeks, cut into thin rounds
* 1 tablespoon finely slivered garlic
* 1/2 cup dry white wine
* 3/4 cup rich chicken stock
* 1 tablespoon grated lime zest
* 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
* 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley
* 3 tablespoons finely slivered sun dried tomatoes
* Zucchini flowers for garnish

Pat zucchini "spaghetti" dry and toss with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Season lightly with salt and pepper and set aside.

Lightly flour chicken breasts and shake off excess. Season with salt and pepper. Add 2 tablespoons of olive oil to an oven proof saute pan and lightly brown on both sides. Remove from pan and set aside. Add remaining oil, leeks and garlic and saute over moderate heat for 3 - 4 minutes or until vegetables are just beginning to soften. Add wine and stock and cook over moderate heat for 3 - 4 minutes to reduce liquid slightly.

Return chicken to pan and place some of the leek mixture on top of breasts. Season lightly and sprinkle lime zest, juice, parsley and sun dried tomatoes over and around breasts. Place pan uncovered in a preheated 400 degrees F oven and bake for 5 - 7 minutes or until breasts are just done.

Halfway through the baking of the breasts, place the zucchini on a separate baking sheet and bake until zucchini just begins to soften.

To serve: Arrange zucchini attractively on warm plates and top with breasts and vegetables. Drizzle pan juices over. Garnish with zucchini flowers. Serve hot or at room temperature.

This simple, delicious oven-roasted chicken oozes with tart, citrusy flavors. This makes a nice dish for a buffet and might make good use of the summer zucchini glut!

TAGS: Chicken, Chicken And Leeks, Zucchini Spaghetti
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