Warm, filling and heavenly delicious! My simple lean chicken dish throughout all our seasons this year when desiring a little extra and some added varietal flavour to a loved weekly favourite. And of course perfectly done in my hands-free, hands down trusty toaster oven must-have. :) Recipe follows, step by step...
This Is ♫ Norman Brown...
Norman Brown - Just Between Us
Ingredients | Serves 2
2 large (skinless, boneless) chicken breasts
1 lime + 1/2 cup white vinegar (to freshen the chicken)
3/4 teaspoon fine iodized salt
1/2 - 1 teaspoon ground red cayenne pepper
10 sprigs of fresh thyme (rinsed & dried to room temp)
2 tablespoons pure light olive oil (more with a larger dish)
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For the Sauce:
1/3 cup water
1/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
2 tablespoons Coconut Nectar (or Coconut Aminos)
1 tablespoon organic ketchup
pinch of ground red cayenne pepper
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Freshen the chicken pieces with the lime and vinegar under cool running tap water. Pat dry (x2) with paper towels.
Make a few half-inch slits into the chicken using a small paring knife.
Season the chicken with the salt and pepper, cover and set aside for 20 minutes, or overnight in the refrigerator (my preference).
Remove from the refrigerator and let sit for 20 minutes at room temp to release some of the chill.
Set the oven to 375 degrees F.
Add the olive oil to a baking dish and tilt to coat the entire bottom.
Add 5 sprigs of thyme in a single layer into the dish, and place the dish in the hot oven for 4 - 5 minutes.
Carefully remove the hot dish and add the chicken breasts fleshy side down onto the thyme. Top with the remaining 5 sprigs of thyme. Bake uncovered for 25 minutes. ~Enjoy the lovely aroma.~
Make the sauce: Over medium-low heat, whisk all the ingredients in a saucepan, bring to a gentle boil for 30 seconds, reduce to low heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Off the heat.
Remove the dish from the oven at the 25 minute mark and turn the chicken over to the other side, loosely cover the dish with foil (shiny side down, and with 3 slits to release any built up steam). Continue baking for another 25 minutes.
Remove the foil and thyme, and pour the warm sauce over the cooked chicken.
Place the dish back into the oven, off the heat and let sit in the oven for 10 minutes.
Serve warm! ~xx
