Friday, June 22, 2007

Louisana Chicken and Sweet Potato Hash

  • 1-1/2 pounds sweet potatoes (2 to 3 medium), scrubbed and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts (without tenderloins)
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 1 large onion, finely chopped (1-1/2 to 2 cups)
  • 1 medium green bell pepper, seeded, cored and finely chopped (1-1/4 cups)
  • 1 medium garlic clove, minced
  • 1 teaspoon hot paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 3 scallions, white and tender green parts, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
  • 1 cup nonfat half-and-half

Place the cubed sweet potatoes in a large pan with just enough water to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and cook about 15 minutes, until the potatoes are just tender.

While the potatoes are cooking, poach the chicken: Cut the breasts in half vertically, place them in a large skillet and add just enough water (or low-sodium chicken broth) to cover. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to low and cook for about 10 minutes, until the chicken is just cooked through and tender. Drain, transfer to a work surface and cut into 1/2-inch cubes. Set aside. Drain the potatoes and set aside.

Clean out the skillet and place the butter in it to melt over medium heat. Add the onion, bell pepper and garlic, and cook for 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until the vegetables have softened. Add the paprika and the dried thyme, crumbling it between your fingers, then the salt and pepper to taste. Stir to combine for 1 minute.

Add the chicken, sweet potatoes, scallions, parsley and half-and-half. Cook for 6 to 8 minutes, until the liquid has reduced and the hash is thickened and “tight.”

Yield: 4 to 5 servings

From James Villas, The Glory of Southern Cooking

Nutrients per serving (1/4 recipe): 381 calories, 31g protein, 45g carbohydrates, 8g fat, 84mg cholesterol, 5g saturated fat, 331mg sodium, 6g dietary fiber

1 comment:

Rebecca said...

made without the half-and-half, but turned out meh. sweet potatoes were too wet to crisp up and took forever to cook (parcooked first in microwave with water). might work OK with leftover fully-cooked sweet potatoes.