POACHED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH TOMATILLOS AND JALAPEñOS

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Poached Chicken Breasts With Tomatillos and Jalapeños image

Boneless, skinless chicken breasts can be easy to overcook, going from tender to rubbery in a matter of seconds. Not so here, where the breasts are cooked in chicken stock in a very low oven, which keeps them moist and juicy. Tomatillos, jalapeños and garlic, which are roasted at the same time, turn golden and soft before being chopped into a vibrant, cilantro-laced salsa. Make this on days when you don't mind having the oven on low for a couple of hours. It may take a while to cook, but most of that time is entirely hands-off.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     dinner, weekday, poultry, main course

Time 2h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 quart chicken stock, plus more as needed (or use salted water)
1 1/4 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts (3 medium breasts)
1 1/2 pounds tomatillos, cut into 1/2-inch chunks
2 to 3 jalapeños, thinly sliced
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more as needed
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
3/4 cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
3 scallions, thinly sliced
Finely grated zest of 1/2 lime
1 avocado, sliced
Fresh lime juice, to taste

Steps:

  • Place racks in the top and bottom third of the oven and heat to 275 degrees. In the microwave or in a small pot on the stove, heat chicken stock until it comes to a simmer.
  • Place chicken in a small baking dish and cover with hot chicken stock.
  • On a rimmed baking sheet, toss together tomatillos, jalapeños, 2 tablespoons oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and cumin seeds. Spread into a single layer on the sheet, then nudge the tomatillos aside to make room in 1 corner for a small ramekin. Fill ramekin with garlic and remaining 4 tablespoons oil or more as needed to cover the garlic.
  • Place chicken on top oven rack until chicken is cooked through (a thermometer inserted in the center should read 155 degrees), 55 minutes to 1 hour and 10 minutes. At the same time, bake tomatillos on bottom rack, tossing occasionally, until they are tender, and garlic is light golden, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. If chicken is ready before the tomatillos, remove it from the oven and leave it in the pan covered in stock to keep it warm until everything is done.
  • Use a slotted spoon to remove garlic from oil and coarsely chop. Remove chicken from stock (save stock for another use; it can be frozen for up to 3 months), and slice the meat.
  • To assemble, toss together tomatillos, chopped garlic, cilantro, scallions, lime zest and salt to taste. Drizzle fresh lime juice and garlic oil all over the chicken and avocado if you like, and season with salt. Serve with the tomatillo salsa.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 573, UnsaturatedFat 27 grams, Carbohydrate 26 grams, Fat 36 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 39 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 765 milligrams, Sugar 12 grams, TransFat 0 grams

Shaman Aftab
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This recipe is a great way to use up leftover ingredients. I had some leftover chicken and tomatillos, and this recipe was the perfect way to use them up.


Sylvester Togba
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This recipe is a great way to add some variety to your weekly menu. It's a unique and flavorful dish that your family will love.


Razia TAIMAA
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This recipe is a great way to impress your friends and family. It's a delicious and flavorful dish that will surely wow your guests.


Frank Rappa
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This recipe is a great way to save money on your grocery bill. Chicken is a relatively inexpensive protein, and the other ingredients in this recipe are also very affordable.


Selda
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This recipe is a great way to get your daily dose of protein. The chicken is a lean protein, and it's packed with nutrients. It's also a good source of iron, zinc, and selenium.


Boko Boko
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This recipe is a great way to add some spice to your life. The jalapeños give the chicken a nice kick, but it's not too spicy. If you're not a fan of spicy food, you can always reduce the amount of jalapeños you use.


Kit Ak
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I love the versatility of this recipe. You can serve it with rice, beans, vegetables, or anything else you like. It's also a great recipe for meal prep. You can make a big batch of chicken on the weekend, and then you have leftovers for the rest of t


Sam Crowther
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This recipe is a great way to use up leftover tomatillos. I had some leftover tomatillos from another recipe, and I was looking for a way to use them up. This recipe was perfect, and the tomatillos added a delicious flavor to the chicken.


hellen nunez
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I'm always looking for new ways to cook chicken, and this recipe is a great addition to my repertoire. The chicken is moist and flavorful, and the sauce is delicious.


Julius Bazibu
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This recipe is a great way to get your kids to eat their vegetables. My kids love the sweet and tangy flavor of the tomatillos, and they don't even realize they're eating vegetables.


Woubishet Sitotaw
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I love the simplicity of this recipe. It's just a few ingredients, but they come together to create a delicious and flavorful dish.


Susan Hancock
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This is a great recipe for a low-carb meal. I served it with roasted vegetables, and it was a delicious and satisfying meal.


Jay G
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I'm a big fan of Mexican food, and this recipe is one of my favorites. The tomatillos and jalapeños give the chicken a delicious flavor, and the sauce is perfect for tacos, burritos, or enchiladas.


Angat Budha
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This recipe is a great way to use up leftover chicken. I had some leftover rotisserie chicken, and it worked perfectly in this recipe. The chicken was moist and flavorful, and the sauce was delicious.


Bajugma Emmanuel
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I made this recipe for a potluck, and it was a huge hit. Everyone loved the unique flavor of the tomatillos and jalapeños. I will definitely be making this again for my next party.


Kasmidah2 Suhaili
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I'm not a big fan of tomatillos, but I loved this recipe. The tomatillos and jalapeños were perfectly balanced, and they didn't overpower the chicken. I will definitely be making this again.


Mel Seabrook
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This is a great recipe for a weeknight meal. It's quick and easy to make, and it's healthy too. I love that I can use ingredients that I usually have on hand.


Saleem Meo
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I love how easy this recipe is to make. I was able to throw it together in no time, and it turned out perfectly. The chicken was moist and tender, and the sauce was flavorful and tangy.


Kidus Kassahun
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This recipe is a winner! The tomatillos and jalapeños give the chicken a delicious tangy and spicy flavor. I served it with rice and beans, and it was a hit with my family.