This is the main content.
Recipes
Chicken Manzana with Wilted Spinach Salad
4 servings
45 minutes total
  • Prepare chicken and let stand to rest (30 minutes) 
  • Prepare spinach; slice chicken and serve (10 minutes)

Chicken Manzana

Ingredients

  • Nonstick aluminum foil
  • 3 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
  • 2 chicken fillets (about 1 lb)
  • 2 oz Deli Manchego cheese
  • 1 medium Granny Smith apple
  • 2 oz uncured ham slices, coarsely chopped
  • 1 cup 100% apple juice
  • ½ cup (or 4-oz cup) unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 teaspoon salt-free southwest chipotle seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin

Steps

    1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Line baking sheet with foil. Place bread crumbs and 1 tablespoon butter (cut into small pieces) into medium bowl; set aside for butter to soften.
    2. Cut a 2-inch-deep pocket on top of each chicken fillet (about 4 inches long) being careful not to cut through the bottom (wash hands). Preheat large, nonstick sauté pan on medium-high 1–2 minutes. Place remaining 1 tablespoon butter in pan to melt, then add chicken with cut side down; cook 2–3 minutes on each side or until browned.
    3. Transfer chicken to baking sheet with cut side up. Let chicken stand 5 minutes to cool. Meanwhile, cut cheese and apple into ¼-inch-cubes (½ cup each); add to bread crumbs. Chop ham; stir into bread crumb mixture until well blended.
    4. Squeeze chicken slightly (with tongs) to open pocket; fill fillets with ham mixture (packing firmly and mounding any extra on top). Bake 12–14 minutes and until chicken is 165°F.
    5. Combine in same sauté pan on low: apple juice, applesauce, chipotle seasoning, and cumin; simmer 7–8 minutes, stirring occasionally, or until slightly thickened. Transfer chicken to cutting board; let stand 5 minutes to rest. Pour sauce onto serving platter; slice chicken and arrange over sauce. Serve.

Wilted Spinach Salad

Ingredients

  • ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ¼ cup chopped walnuts
  • ¼ cup caramelized onion yogurt salad dressing
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon pepper
  • 5 oz baby spinach
  • ¼ cup shaved Parmesan cheese

Steps

    1. Halve tomatoes. Preheat large, nonstick sauté pan on medium-high 2–3 minutes. Place oil in pan, then add walnuts; cook and stir 1–2 minutes or until walnuts are very fragrant and begin to brown.
    2. Stir in tomatoes, dressing, salt, and pepper; bring to a low simmer. Stir in spinach and cheese until evenly coated; serve immediately.

Serving Suggestions

  • Complete your meal with cut corn, tortilla chips and salsa, then enjoy fresh-baked cookies for dessert.
  • Make an apple spritzer with the leftover apple juice; use equal amounts of juice and club soda over ice.

Chicken Manzana

Amount per ¼ recipe serving: Calories 400, Total Fat 17g, Sat Fat 9g, Trans Fat 0g, Chol 135mg, Sodium 210mg, Total Carb 18g, Fiber 2g, Sugars 13g, Protein 42g, Calc 15%, Vitamin A 6%, Vitamin C 2%, Iron 10%

Wilted Spinach Salad