Healthy: Thai Broiled Chicken Breasts with Cilantro Sauce

Thai food isn't always the easiest to eat on a clean diet between the use of salt-laden fish sauce and fat-rich coconut. However, Thai cuisine includes grilled meats that cuts down the abundance of either in favor of a lean cut of meat that can be garnished with a reasonably healthy sauce. This recipe puts chicken breasts together with a flavorful sauce that is easy to cook but packs big flavor. If you end up with excess sauce after eating all the chicken it works well as a salad dressing.

Healthy Thai Broiled Chicken Breasts with Cilantro Sauce

Servings: 4
Prep time: 1 hour
Cook time: 15 minutes

Equipment:

• Mixing bowls
• Cutting board and knife
• Food processor or blender
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking pan
• Meat tenderizer
• Small saucepan

Ingredients:

• 1 serrano pepper
• 1 jalapeno pepper
• 4 cloves of garlic
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp cilantro
• 2 tbsp fish sauce
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tsp sesame oil (or use 1/2 tsp sesame seeds plus 1/2 tsp oil)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 4 boneless chicken breasts
• 3 tbsp rice wine vinegar
• 1/2 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tsp water
• Cooking spray

Directions:

1. Chop cilantro and keep portions divided.  Mince 2 cloves of garlic. Remove tops of peppers.
2. Add 1/2 cup cilantro, 2 unminced garlic cloves, peppers, fish sauce, olive oil, sesame oil and 1/4 tsp salt to food processor or blender and puree to a smooth texture. 
3. Lightly pound chicken breasts so the breasts are an even thickness.
4. Combine chicken breasts and puree and coat chicken breasts. Let marinade in the fridge for one hour.
5. Heat boiler 10-15 minutes before the hour of marinating chicken breasts has ended. 
6. While oven is warming, heat a saucepan over medium-low heat. Add vinegar, sugar and remaining salt and bring to a simmer. 
7. Transfer liquid to small bowl and add minced garlic, 1 tbsp of chopped cilantro, red pepper flakes and water. Mix well and set aside.
8. Spray baking sheet with cooking spray and place chicken breasts on sheet. 
9. Broil for 5 minutes. Turn and broil 5 more minutes or until cooked through.
10. Serve with dipping sauce.