OLIVE & LEMON CHICKEN WITH BULGUR WHEAT

Olive & Lemon Chicken with Bulgur Wheat image

Provided by Heidi Hoerman

Categories Chicken

Time 45m

Number Of Ingredients 15

1 medium lemon, both juice and zest, which will be used separately
1/2 tsp ginger, ground
1/2 tsp coriander, ground
1/2 tsp cumin, ground
1/2 tsp nutmeg, freshly ground
1/4 tsp sea salt (omit if using boxed or canned chicken broth)
1/4 tsp black or white pepper, freshly ground
8 oz chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 c finely chopped celery, onion, or a combination.
4 clove garlic, minced
6 to 8 medium olives, sliced (use greek or other european-style olives)
1 c bulgar wheat
2 c strong chicken broth or stock
2 to 3 c fresh spinach (about 1/2 bag), chopped

Steps:

1. Set the lemon zest aside for later use. In a bowl big enough to hold the chicken, whisk together lemon juice, ginger, coriander, cumin, nutmeg, salt (if using) and pepper.
2. Cut the chicken into 1-inch cubes and toss in the lemon and spice marinade to coat thoroughly. Allow to rest 10 minutes.
3. In a large saute pan with cover, heat the olive oil on medium-high until shimmering. Drain away the excess marinade saute the chicken in the olive oil 5 to 6 minutes, turning to cook on all sides. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside, leaving any remaining oil in the pan. The chicken will cook more with the bulgur wheat so it need not be thoroughly cooked at this point.
4. In another container, heat the chicken broth or stock to boiling. This is most easily done in a pyrex measuring cup in the microwave.
5. Briefly saute the celery (and/or onion) and garlic in the remaining olive oil. Add the olive and the bulgur and stir to coat. Allow the bulgur to toast for about 2 minutes.
6. Add the chicken cubes, chicken stock and lemon zest. Stir to mix. Cover and turn heat to medium low. Allow to simmer 5 minutes.
7. Put the spinach on top of the now-swelling bulgur mixture, cover, and continue to simmer another 5 minutes.
8. Stir in the spinach, cover, and simmer a final 5 minutes for a total of 15 minutes simmering. Test the bulgur for doneness. It should be al dente yet tender.
9. Serve hot.