Lunch: Chicken in Pumpkin Seed Sauce

This recipe includes superfoods such as:

Cinnamon, Chicken Breast

Health benefits of Chicken in Pumpkin Seed Sauce

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

4 to 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken breasts
Kosher salt
6 to 8 whole black peppercorns
2 fresh bay leaves
2 small to medium white or yellow onions, 1 quartered and 1 choppedHerb bundle of fresh cilantro, marjoram or oregano, and thyme
1 1/4 cups green untoasted pumpkin seeds, such as pepitas
2 tablespoons EVOO
1 teaspoon ground cumin (1/3 palmful)
1 teaspoon dried epazote, optional
Pinch ground cinnamon
6 tomatillos, peeled and chopped
2 to 3 leaves Romaine or green leaf lettuce, torn2 large cloves garlic, grated or chopped
2 serrano chiles or 1 large jalapeno, seeded and chopped
Warm corn tortillas, for serving
Minced red onions, for serving
Steamed or lightly sauteed zucchini, for serving

Instructions

Place the chicken in a pot with just enough water to cover. Sprinkle with salt, and add the peppercorns, bay leaves, quartered onion and herb bundle. Bring to a low boil, and then reduce the heat and poach the chicken until cooked through, 30 to 40 minutes.
Remove the chicken, straining the stock, and then wipe the pot clean and return to the heat. Peel the skin off the chicken breasts and cover to keep warm until the sauce is ready. Dry toast the pumpkin seeds over medium heat until puffed and toasted, 4 to 5 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup of the toasted seeds for garnish. Puree the remaining seeds in a blender or food processor with 1 cup of the stock, the chopped onion, EVOO, cumin, epazote, if using, cinnamon, tomatillos, lettuce, garlic and chiles.
Transfer the pumpkin seed puree to the pot with 2 1/2 to 3 cups of the reserved chicken stock and simmer to develop flavor and thicken, 20 minutes. Adjust the seasonings.
Pour the sauce over the chicken and garnishreserved toasted pumpkin seeds. Serve with warm corn tortillas, for wrapping, and minced red onion, for topping. If you would like to serve with a vegetable, steamed or sauteed zucchini is perfect.
Cook's Note: For a make-ahead meal, simmer the sauce only until not quite thick enough to serve, 10 minutes. Return the chicken to the pot, turn off heat and let cool before covering and storing. Reheat over medium heat and thicken the sauce, to serve.

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