Savory Wild Blueberry Chicken Breasts

This time I found a recipe that is actually called a "savory" blueberry recipe! It sounds wonderful to me.  I don't have wild blueberries but I am going to try it with my regular blueberries.  I wonder what the difference is between "wild" blueberries and regular blueberries.  I am thinking that the wild ones would probably be smaller and maybe the taste would be more intense?  Either way, this recipe sounds great.  It comes from the www.food.com website.  I also included a recipe for cajun spices in case you are like me and don't have a clue what cajun spices are.  I am a New York City/East Coast gal all the way so I am clueless as far as anything cajun.  

Savory Wild Blueberry Chicken Breasts

Servings:  4

Prep. Time: 10 mins.

Total Time: 30 mins.

Ingredients:

½ teaspoon Cajun spices

4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

1 medium onion, finely chopped

2 teaspoons olive oil

1/3 cup red wine

2 cups wild blueberries

1 teaspoon grated fresh lemon rind

¼ teaspoon salt (optional)

Directions:

1.        Dust chicken breasts with Cajun spices.

2.       Sauté in olive oil until brown and almost cooked through 7 to 10 minutes.

3.       (If thick, cover for 3 or 4 minutes more.)  Remove chicken breasts from pan and keep warm.

4.       In same pan, sauté garlic and onion until transparent, scraping remaining bits of chicken from bottom of pan.

5.       Add red wine and cook down until most of the liquid is evaporated.

6.       Add Wild Blueberries, lemon rind and salt.

7.       Simmer for 5 minutes.

8.       (If blueberries are frozen, until berries are heated through.)  Add salt and pepper to taste.

9.       Let sit for 5 minutes, heat off, for flavors to blend.

10.   Spoon over chicken breasts and serve.

Cajun Spices Recipe

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons salt

2 teaspoons garlic powder

2 1/2 teaspoons paprika

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 teaspoon onion powder

1 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1 1/4 teaspoons dried oregano

1 1/4 teaspoons dried thyme

1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)

Directions:

Stir together salt, garlic powder, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, oregano, thyme, and red pepper flakes until evenly blended. Store in an airtight container.

Enjoy!

Chicken & Blueberry Pasta Salad

Here is another savory blueberry recipe that sounds perfect for a summer lunch or dinner.  It is from www.eatingwell.com.  I can't wait to try it.  I think that I will go pick more blueberries today so I can make all these great recipes. 

Chicken & Blueberry Pasta Salad

www.eatingwell.com

Servings: 6

Prep: 30 mins.

Total: 30 mins.

Ingredients:

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, trimmed of fat

8 ounces whole wheat fusilli or radiatore

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 large shallot, thinly sliced

1/3 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth

1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese

3 tablespoons lime juice

1 cup fresh blueberries

1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme

1 teaspoon freshly grated lime zest

¼ teaspoon salt

Directions:

1.        Place chicken in a skillet or sauce pan and add enough water to cover; bring to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat to low and simmer gently until cooked through and no longer pink in the middle.   Approximately 10 to 12 minutes.  Transfer the chicken to a cutting board to cool.  Shred into bite-size strips.

2.       Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Cook pasta until just tender, about 9 minutes or according to package directions.  Drain.  Place in a large bowl.

3.       Meanwhile, place oil and shallot in a small skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until softened and just beginning to brown, 2 to 5 minutes.  Add broth, feta and lime juice and cook, stirring occasionally, until the feta begins to melt, 1 to 2 minutes.

4.       Add the chicken to the bowl with the pasta. Add the dressing, blueberries, thyme, lime zest and salt.  Toss until combined.

Make Ahead Tip:  Add everything except the blueberries and dressing to the pasta salad.  Cover and refrigerate. 

Try using crumbled Blue Cheese instead of feta. 

 Enjoy!