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Chicken



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Hawaiian Chicken



Here's a recipe for classic sweet-and-sour chicken that's healthier (and less messy!) than usual. Instead of dipping the chicken into a thin batter and deep-frying it, dust the chicken with flour, pan-fry until golden and then finish it off in the oven. Calories, fat and cholesterol were reduced by:

* Using chicken breasts without the skin
* Using no-stick spray instead of oil
* Reducing the amount of sugar
* Using pineapple canned in its own juice


Before After
Calories 785 400
Fat (g.) 32 2
% Calories from Fat 36% 4%
Cholesterol (mg.) 92 68


Chicken
4 (4-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 cup all-purpose flour

Sauce
1 (20-ounce) can pineapple slices (packed in juice)
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup cider vinegar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 tablespoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon grated ginger root
1 teaspoon chicken bouillon granules
1 large green pepper, cut into 1/4-inch thick rings
Hot cooked brown rice (optional)

To Make the Chicken: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spray a large skillet with no-stick spray; heat. Meanwhile, coat both sides of the chicken with the flour. Shake off any excess flour. Add the chicken to the hot skillet and brown on both sides. Transfer the chicken to an 8-by-8-by-2-inch baking dish; set aside.

To Make the Sauce: Drain the pineapple, reserving the juice. Transfer the juice to a 2-cup measuring cup. Add enough water to make 1 1/4 cups. In a medium saucepan, use a wire whisk to stir together the juice mixture, sugar, vinegar, cornstarch, soy sauce, ginger and bouillon granules. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Slightly reduce the heat and gently boil for 4 minutes, stirring often. Pour half of the sauce mixture over the chicken. Arrange the pineapple slices and pepper rings on top. Then pour on the remaining sauce mixture. Bake for 30 to 40 minutes or until the chicken is tender and no longer pink. If desired, serve with the rice.

Makes 4 servings.

robin