Chicken Again? Try this new one, Apple-Spinach Chicken!

So it's a new year and everyone is trying to eat healthier, shed a few pounds, add veggies to their diet, etc., etc., etc..  Eating chicken every night of the week can be boring.  This recipe is a not-so-boring approach to chicken.  Definitely worth a try and most ingredients are probably on hand.  It is quick and easy to cook and can be easily doubled or cut in half.  My husband's first response was, "This one is a keeper."  Let me know what your family thinks!

Apple-Spinach Chicken

Ingredients:

• 2 teaspoons oil
• 4 (4-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 garlic clove minced
• 1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard
• 1/2 cup apple cider
• 1 medium Granny Smith apple, cored and sliced
• 6 cups baby spinach or chopped Swiss chard

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper, and add to skillet.  Cook 5-6 minutes on each side or until well browned.  Remove to plate, and keep warm.
2. Add next 4 ingredients (through apple slices) to pan; bring to a boil.  Reduce heat, simmer, stirring often, 5 minutes.  Return chicken and juices to pan.  Cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce thickens and the chicken is cooked through, about 3 minutes.
3. Add spinach to the pan, and toss until wilted, about 1 minute.  Serve hot.  

For the calorie counters 1 serving is a chicken breast and 1/2 cup apple mixture - 202 calories, and worth every one!

I served this over brown rice pasta (my personal favorite) mixed with a little bit of olive oil and parmesan cheese.