SOY-GLAZED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH PICKLED CUCUMBERS

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Soy-Glazed Chicken Breasts With Pickled Cucumbers image

The pan-steam method used here ensures boneless, skinless chicken breasts cook quickly while staying moist. The technique works with water, but a flavorful mixture of soy sauce, honey, garlic and coriander infuses the chicken with even more flavor. Depending on the size of the skillet you use, the sauce may reduce a little slower or faster than the time indicated. When you swipe a rubber spatula across the bottom of the skillet, the sauce should hold a spatula-wide trail that fills in with liquid pretty quickly. If you happen to reduce too much, whisk in water one tablespoon at a time until you're back to a shiny sauce that can be drizzled. Rice is an obvious side, but the sliced chicken and pickled cucumbers are really good tucked inside flour tortillas, too.

Provided by Dawn Perry

Categories     dinner, weekday, poultry, vegetables, main course

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 English cucumber, thinly sliced
1 shallot, peeled, halved and thinly sliced lengthwise
1/4 cup rice vinegar
Kosher salt and black pepper
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce or tamari
2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 1/2 to 2 pounds)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 garlic cloves, smashed
1 teaspoon coriander seeds, roughly smashed with the side of a heavy knife
Cilantro leaves and tender stems, for serving
Steamed rice, for serving

Steps:

  • In a medium bowl, toss to combine the cucumber, shallot, vinegar, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper; set aside while you make the chicken.
  • In a shallow dish, stir soy sauce and honey together; add chicken and turn to coat.
  • In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high. Add garlic and coriander and stir to coat. Add chicken breasts (reserve the marinade) and cook until browned on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. (Browning happens a little faster than usual here because of the honey and soy; if the marinade is getting too dark, lower the heat slightly.)
  • Add reserved marinade and 1/4 cup water to the skillet. Bring to a simmer, reduce heat to medium-low and cook, covered, until cooked through, 4 to 5 minutes more per side.
  • Uncover the skillet, increase heat to medium-high and cook, turning chicken occasionally, until liquid is reduced and chicken is glazed, about 5 minutes. Serve chicken drizzled with any leftover glaze over rice with cucumber salad and cilantro.

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