Chipotle Chicken and Beans Recipe

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup water, divided
• 1/2 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice
• 6 boneless skinless chicken breast halves (4 ounces each)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 bacon strips, diced
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup chopped plum tomatoes
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 cup whole-berry cranberry sauce
• 4-1/2 teaspoons minced chipotle peppers in adobo sauce
• 1-1/2 teaspoons lime juice
• 1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
• 1 can (15 ounces) white kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained

Directions

• In a small saucepan, bring 1/2 cup water and broth to a boil. Stir in rice. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 15-18 minutes or until rice is tender.
• Meanwhile, cut each chicken breast half widthwise into six strips. Sprinkle with salt. In a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray, cook chicken for 5 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Remove and keep warm.
• In the same skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until crisp. Using a slotted spoon, remove to paper towels; drain, reserving 1/2 teaspoon drippings. In the drippings, saute onion and garlic until tender. Add the tomatoes, cumin and cinnamon; cook for 2 minutes. Stir in the cranberry sauce, chipotle peppers, lime juice and remaining water. Bring to a boil.
• Return chicken to the pan. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 6-10 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Remove and keep warm. Add rice and beans to the skillet; heat through. Serve chicken over bean mixture; sprinkle with bacon. Yield: 6 servings.

Chipotle Chicken and Beans published in Light & Tasty February/March 2006, p19