Lunch: Chicken and Chickpea Stew

Recipe by Georgia Downward Talk about a lean bean! Adding about 1/2 cup of filling high-fiber chickpeas to your daily diet can cut your consumption of fatty foods, a study in the journal Appetite finds.

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Chicken Breast

Health benefits of Chicken and Chickpea Stew

Cinnamon is one of the best ingredients that someone with insulin sensitivity can eat. Half a teaspoon of cinnamon per day has been shown to be very effective at normalizing blood sugar levels. Cinnamon contains hydroxychalcone, which is thought to enhance the effects of insulin. It has also been suggested that Cinnamon prevents post-meal blood sugar spikes by slowing the gastric emptying rate - meaning that food digests slowly. (Reference: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11506060).

Skinless chicken breast, often heralded for its lean nutritional profile, is undeniably a powerhouse when it comes to protein content. With an impressive 21 grams of protein packed into every 100 grams of the breast, it emerges as a preferred choice for those conscious about their protein intake. Delving deeper into the nutritional matrix of chicken, one can't overlook the copious amounts of vitamin B6 it houses. This particular vitamin plays an indispensable role in our body, especially when discussing Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) management.

For individuals grappling with PCOS, the internal hormonal turbulence can be overwhelming, often leading to a spike in testosterone and androgen levels. This is where vitamin B6 comes into the spotlight. Acting as a balancer, vitamin B6 diligently works behind the scenes to keep these hormones in check, ensuring they don't surge beyond desirable levels. It is this equilibrium that becomes paramount for those earnestly looking to curtail the excessive flow of testosterone and androgen. In the broader spectrum of PCOS management, incorporating foods rich in vitamin B6, like chicken breast, can be a strategic move, providing both nutritional sustenance and hormonal balance.

Ingredients

3/4 cup whole-wheat couscous
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 1/2 cups chopped onion
2 large cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 can (14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, drained
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1 yellow or green zucchini (6 ounces), cut into 1-inch pieces
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (or mint)

Instructions

Cook couscous as directed on package. Season chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. In a nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Cook chicken, turning once, 2 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate. Cook onion in same skillet, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Add garlic and tomato paste; cook, stirring, 1 minute more. Add tomatoes, cumin and cinnamon; cook, stirring, 2 minutes more. Return chicken to skillet; add chickpeas, broth, zucchini, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and remaining 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Simmer, covered, until chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Serve stew with couscous. Garnish with cilantro.