Roasted Fall Vegetable Quinoa with Toasted Almonds and Braised Chicken Thighs
Servings
6Serving size
4 ounces chicken (about 1 chicken thigh) with 1 1/2 cups quinoaThis recipe can easily be multiplied and keeps well.
Ingredients
| 3/4 tsp. Salt |
| 1/8 tsp., ground Black pepper |
| 2 tsp.. Smoked paprika |
| 1/4 tsp. Ground cinnamon |
| 1 tsp., leaves Dried thyme |
| 2 tsp.. Ground cumin |
| 8 ounce Sweet potato (small dice) |
| 8 ounces Parsnips, raw (peeled and cut into half moons) |
| 8 ounces Brussels sprouts, raw (trimmed and halved lengthwise) |
| 2 tsp.. Honey |
| 4 tsp. Olive oil (divided) |
| 24 ounces Boneless, skinless chicken thighs (about 6 thighs) |
| 2 Large Shallots, raw (diced) |
| 4 clove Garlic, raw (minced) |
| 1/4 cup White wine |
| 2 cups No salt added vegetable stock (or water) |
| 1/8 tsp. Salt |
| 1 1/2 cup Quinoa, uncooked |
| 1 1/3 tsp. Almonds (sliced) |
| 4 tsp. Fresh parsley (chopped) |
Instructions
Mix together the 3/4 teaspoon salt, pepper, smoked paprika, cinnamon, thyme and cumin.
Mix the, sweet potatoes, parsnips and Brussels sprouts together in a medium bowl.
Toss with 1/2 of the seasoning mixture. Reserve the remaining seasoning for the chicken.
Add honey and 2 tsp. oil to the vegetable mixture.
Toss well to combine.
Place the vegetables on a sheet tray covered with foil (for easy cleaning).
Make sure to not overcrowd the pan and lay in a single layer in order for the vegetables to roast properly.
Put the vegetables in the oven and roast until fork tender, about 20 to 30 minutes. Stir occasionally.
Once finished, set aside at room temperature.
Place chicken in the mixing bowl with the remaining spice mixture.
Add the minced garlic and toss well to coat.
Heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil in a medium-large oven-proof pot over medium-high heat.
Cook until meat is golden brown, adjusting heat if necessary, then flip and brown the other side.
Add the shallot to the pot and cook for about 4 minutes, stirring frequently, until onions start to turn translucent.
Add white wine and scrape up the brown bits on the bottom of the pan.
Add the vegetable stock and 1/8 teaspoon salt and put the chicken thighs back to the pot, mostly submerged in liquid.
Place the pot in the oven.
Braise until chicken reaches an internal temperature of 165°, about 20 to 30 minutes.
Remove chicken from liquid, place on plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
Place the pot on the stove over medium-high heat and bring back to a boil.
Add the quinoa and stir to incorporate.
Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for about 15 minutes, or until quinoa has absorbed liquid and cooked through.
Add roasted vegetables to cooked quinoa and fold together gently.
Serve 1 1/2 cups of quinoa mixture on the plate.
Place one chicken thigh on top and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon each of toasted almonds and chopped parsley.
Serve.
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Special Diet Information
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Lactose
This recipe is safe for those who are lactose intolerant.
Recipe Notes
This is a terrific meal for any season. Cooking the quinoa in the stock that the chicken has braised in gives it a rich, savory flavor, and the sweet and savory vegetables are a great counterpoint to the rich umami of the chicken thighs.
You can serve this hot on a chilly day or chilled on a hot summer evening. Both are delicious.
The recipe also lends itself well to variation, especially with the veggies. The ones chosen here are all a bit firm and can hold up to roasting – your substitutions should also be of about the same texture. You could substitute carrots for the Brussels sprouts or parsnips, for example, but using zucchini or tomatoes would mean they were too mushy by the time the sweet potatoes have cooked.
You can also take the spice in a lot of different directions — Indian, Cajun, or Caribbean, for example.
This recipe reheats well, so make a double batch. You’ll be glad you did.