Mahogany Chicken & Vegetables with Jasmine rice

Mahogany Chicken & Vegetables




¼ cup strong black tea

¼ cup unsweetened pineapple or orange juice

2 tablespoons low sodium soy sauce

1 tablespoon honey

½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon ground ginger

½ teaspoon black pepper

Morton’s Lite salt to taste

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided

1 small red bell pepper, diced

2 scallions, sliced

1 clove garlic, minced



Directions

1. Combine wet ingredients (tea, juice, soy sauce and honey) in a 2-cup glass measure; set aside.

2. Combine cinnamon, ginger, pepper and salt in a small bowl. Rub the spice mixture evenly on both sides of chicken breasts.

3. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, reduce heat to medium and cook until golden outside and no longer pink inside, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

4. Add the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to the pan. Add bell pepper, scallions and garlic; sauté for 30 seconds. Add the reserved rice wine-tea mixture. Bring to a boil, scraping up any browned bits. Cook until the liquid is reduced by half, 2 to 4 minutes.

5. Reduce heat to low and return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pan. Simmer gently, spooning the sauce over the chicken, until heated through, about 1 minute.

6. Slice the chicken into thin diagonal slices and fan on plates. Spoon the sauce and vegetables over jasmine rice.