Curried Chicken with Fresh & Dried Cranberries

Main plate

Ingredients

3 teaspoons canola oil, divided

2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed of fat and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices

3 tablespoons mild or medium-hot curry powder, divided

2 teaspoons butter

1 small onion, chopped

1 tablespoon yellow mustard seeds

Generous 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom or cloves

1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes with mild green chiles

1 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth

1 1/3 cups sweetened dried cranberries

1 cup cranberries, fresh or frozen, thawed, coarsely chopped

1 tablespoon minced fresh ginger

1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Chopped fresh cilantro leaves for garnish

Directions

1. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a nonreactive Dutch oven (see Kitchen Note) over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add half the chicken pieces and sprinkle with a generous 1/2 teaspoon curry powder. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large plate. Add the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to the pot and heat until hot. Add the remaining chicken; sprinkle with another generous 1/2 teaspoon curry powder and cook, stirring occasionally, until beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the plate.

2. Add butter, onion and mustard seeds to the pot; cook, stirring, until the seeds pop and the onion begins to brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pot, sprinkle with the remaining curry powder and cardamom (or cloves); stir to coat the chicken with the spices. Cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes, broth, dried and fresh cranberries, ginger and salt. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to a simmer and cook, uncovered and stirring occasionally, until the mixture reduces slightly and the chicken is cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes more. Serve garnished with cilantro.

Notes

TIP: Kitchen note: A nonreactive pan--stainless steel, enamel-coated or glass--is necessary when cooking acidic foods, such as cranberries, to prevent the food from reacting with the pan. Reactive pans, such as aluminum and cast-iron, can impart an off color and/or off flavor in acidic foods.

MAKE AHEAD TIP: To make ahead: Cool, cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

Nutrition

Per serving: 251 calories; 6 g fat (2 g sat, 2 g mono); 66 mg cholesterol; 25 g carbohydrate; 25 g protein; 4 g fiber; 224 mg sodium.
Nutrition bonus: Niacin (50% daily value), Selenium (32% dv), Fiber (15% dv).