Healthy Eats – Food Network Healthy Living Blog: Food Network's Healthy Eats: Healthy Recipes, Weight Loss Tips & Nutrition Information

Herb's Chicken Fricassee

Brrr! As we drift towards winter, cooler weather makes me crave homey comfort food. For me, what comes to mind is dish my mother made every winter: chicken fricassee. I love this meal because it’s an all-in-one dish that warms you up from the inside out.

My mom used to serve it with white rice, but I cut it out (along with most of the fat in the original recipe) so I can enjoy more of this hearty stew. Now Mom makes this dish Energy Chef-style, too — she’s learning, like we all can. Love you, Mom!

Herb’s Chicken Fricassee
Serves 8

3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut into pieces
1 (16-ounce) can tomato sauce
1 medium onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 bunch cilantro, chopped (stems and leaves)
4 medium red potatoes, diced
2 bay leaves
1 1/2 cup chicken stock (or low sodium chicken broth)
1/4 cup bitter orange juice* (Available at Latin markets)
Salt and pepper to taste

In a large pot, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and brown chicken on both sides, 2  to 3 minutes per side. Remove chicken set aside. Lower heat to medium-low and saute onions, peppers and cilantro for 3 to 4 minutes. Add potatoes, chicken, bitter orange juice and chicken stock. Bring to boil and reduce heat, then let simmer 20 minutes or until the potatoes are cooked through.

*If you can’t find bitter orange juice, add 1 tablespoon of lemon or lime juice to the soup along with the orange juice and stock.

Nutrition Information Per Serving:
Calories: 250
Total Fat: 5 grams
Saturated Fat: 1 grams
Total Carbohydrate:  27 grams
Protein: 24 grams
Sodium: 410 milligrams
Cholesterol: 50 milligrams
Fiber: 4 grams

Next Food Network Star season 6 finalist Herb Mesa is a restaurant-trained chef, a self-taught healthy cuisine chef and a certified personal trainer. Herb teaches “balance through food and fitness,” and works as a personal chef and trainer in Atlanta.

You Might Also Like:

• Cooking Soup Con Sabor: Kale, Potato and Chorizo Stew
• Herb’s Game-Time Snacks
• Tailgate Favorites, Made Healthy