Chicken Paprikash

How about some Clean Eating for the New Year?  I plan to make some healthier recipes this month after the excesses of the holidays, and this is a great one!  

Here's what you need:

2 tablespoons flour (whole wheat or white)
4 teaspoons paprika, divided 
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 onion
1 red bell pepper or hot red pepper
2 cloves garlic
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon chopped dill

Place flour, 1 teaspoon paprika and a pinch of salt and pepper on a plate.

And mix it together.

Dredge each chicken breast in the flour mixture.

Turn to coat and shake off any excess.  

Heat a tablespoon of oil in a large pan.

And add the chicken breasts and cook 3-4 minutes until lightly browned.

Oops, one got a little more brown than the other. No matter. Flip the chicken and cook 2-3 minutes more.

Remove the chicken to a clean plate and set aside.

Thinly slice the onion and red pepper (if using) and add to the pan.  Cook for about 5 minutes until onion is translucent.

Meanwhile, chop the garlic cloves.

And add them to the onions in the pan along with the remaining 3 teaspoons paprika and cayenne pepper, if using.  Cook, stirring for about a minute.  

Then add the chicken stock and stir.  

Return the chicken to the pan and cook, covered for about 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through.

Remove the chicken from the pan again, this time to a clean cutting board.

Take your Greek yogurt...

And add a couple of tablespoons of the pan juices to temper it.

Stir them together.

Then add the yogurt mixture to the pan and mix together.  Bring back to a simmer.

Slice the chicken.

And return it to the pan to mix with the sauce.

You can serve this over rice or any grain but I like it with noodles.  These ones are whole wheat.

Top the noodles with the chicken and sauce.

Chop some fresh dill.  You can also use dried if you have to.

And sprinkle the dill over the chicken.  I served this with some steamed broccoli and it was extremely tasty.  It's very quick and easy and pretty healthy.  Give it a try!

Short & Sweet Sunday - Tzatziki

Tzatziki is cucumber garlic dip/spread that is very easy to make.  It is great on Greek-style foods like souvlaki and gyros and it is delicious on pita.  We used it as a topping for boiled potatoes and it made them super delicious!

All you need is Greek yogurt, cucumber, a garlic clove and some salt and pepper.  I added fresh chives and dill.

Finely chop the cucumber, garlic and herbs and add them to the yogurt, sprinkling it all with salt and cracked pepper to taste.

Mix well and chill for about an hour to let the flavours meld.  This is great as a dip or as a topping for chicken, pork, rice or potatoes.  

Short & Sweet Sunday, Canada Day Edition - Berry Yogurt Parfait

Fresh berries are in season!  My birthday falls near Canada Day, so I never have cake. I always prefer fresh berries with cream, shortcake, ice cream or just on their own.

This is a delicious breakfast, snack or dessert.  


Fresh, local strawberries...

...and raspberries...

combine for a delicious, sweet, tart burst of flavour.

I sprinkle them with a tiny bit of vanilla sugar (I put a vanilla pod in a jar with white sugar), but it's not necessary when the berries are fresh and sweet.

In a glass, layer the berries with Greek Yogurt.

And granola.  I used Kashi cereal.

Add a second layer of berries, yogurt and cereal.

You can use any berries or fruit that are fresh and in season.  Tasty, healthy for breakfast or a snack!