Chicken with Kale and Freekeh-Lentil Pilaf
A wholesome and flavorful dish combining succulent chicken cutlets with wilted kale and a hearty freekeh-lentil pilaf, dressed in a aromatic cumin-sherry vinaigrette. This nutritious meal features a delightful blend of textures and Mediterranean-inspired flavors.
Ingredients
- •2 tablespoons cumin seeds
- •½ cup Sherry vinegar
- •2 cloves garlic
- •½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
- •2 tablespoons Hunza raisins
- •2 teaspoons whole grain mustard
- •2 teaspoons lemon juice
- •1 to taste Kosher salt
- •4 tablespoons olive oil
- •1½ pounds chicken breasts
- •1 to taste Kosher salt
- •1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- •1 clove garlic
- •1 pound kale
- •1 cup freekeh
- •1 cup lentils
Cooking Instructions
- 1.
Stir cumin in a small dry skillet over medium heat until toasted, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat; add vinegar and garlic. Let stand for 30 seconds. Transfer to a blender; add oil and next 3 ingredients. Purée. Season with salt.
5 min
- 2.
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt. Working in 2 batches and adding 1 tablespoon oil between batches, cook chicken in single layers until browned on both sides and just cooked through, 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
12 min
- 3.
Remove pan from heat; add 1/4 cup water. Stir, scraping up browned bits. Whisk in 1/4 cup vinaigrette. Scrape sauce into a bowl.
3 min
- 4.
Melt butter with 1 tablespoon oil in same skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic and cook until just beginning to brown, 1-2 minutes. Discard garlic. Working in 3 batches and adding more oil as needed, add kale to skillet and toss until wilted, 1-2 minutes per batch. Transfer to a large bowl. Season lightly with salt. Cover to keep warm.
10 min
- 5.
Add freekeh and lentils to same skillet. Increase heat; stir until warm, 2-3 minutes.
3 min
- 6.
Spoon pilaf onto plates. Top with chicken. Whisk juices from plate with chicken into sauce; drizzle over chicken and pilaf. Top with kale.
5 min