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Sesame Garlic Chicken, Spinach With Tahini Sauce and Roasted Peanut Quinoa

quinoa

This is an adaptation of a recipe from Clean Eating Magazine – it’s got an eclectic set of ingredients, but they work together well.  This is a fast, flavorful meal that will add flare to your weeknight repertoire.

Sesame Garlic Chicken, Spinach With Tahini Sauce and Roasted Peanut Quinoa

4 4-oz. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 cloves of garlic, sliced
3 t. sesame seeds
6 T. lightly salted dry roasted peanuts, chopped coarsely
1 c. quinoa
2 c. low-sodium chicken stock
2 (16-oz.) bags of baby spinach, rinsed and drained
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

 

Tahini Sauce

3 T. tahini
2 T. rice wine vinegar (unseasoned)
2 t. low-sodium soy sauce
2 t. agave nectar

 

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Place chicken on a foil-lined baking sheet.  With a sharp knife, make 3 slits in each chicken breast, taking care not to cut all the way through the breast.  Stuff the slits with garlic, dividing it evenly amongst the breasts.  Sprinkle each breast with salt, pepper and the sesame seeds.  Bake for 30 minutes, or until no longer pink.

Meanwhile, rinse the quinoa thoroughly with water and drain.  Combine the quinoa with the stock in a medium saucepan.  Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook until the liquid is absorbed, about 20 minutes.  Add the peanuts to the quinoa and set aside.

Prepare the Tahini Sauce:  In a bowl, whisk together the tahini, vinegar, soy sauce, agave nectar and 1 t. of water until smooth and combined.

Steam the spinach, either in the microwave or in a metal steamer insert for a saucepan.

To serve, mound a portion of quinoa in the center of each plate.  Arrange the steamed spinach around and on top of the quinoa and drizzle some Tahini Sauce over the quinoa and the spinach.  Place a chicken breast on top and serve.

Serves 4.

© 2010, Sarah. All rights reserved.

  • Pingback: Sesame Garlic Chicken Over Zucchini Quinoa: Day 100 | How Do You Cook Quinoa?

  • Pingback: Triple K Quinoa with Tahini Dressing: Day 63 | How Do You Cook Quinoa?

  • http://howdoyoucookquinoa.com/ Tammi Kibler | How Do You Cook Quinoa

    Hi Sarah,

    Triple K Quinoa uses my version of your tahini sauce. It was delicious.

    I am making this Sesame Garlic Chicken for my mom tonight!
    Tammi Kibler | How Do You Cook Quinoa´s last post ..Triple K Quinoa with Tahini Dressing: Day 63

    • http://www.semisweetonline.com Semi-Sweet Sarah

      Many thanks, Tammi! Love the name “Triple K Quinoa” – I’ll let you know how it turns out!

  • http://howdoyoucookquinoa.com/ Tammi Kibler | How Do You Cook Quinoa

    I used the sauce in a kohlrabi slaw I made the other day. So wonderful. I will come back here and link it when I put the recipe online.

    I am going to try making the chicken tonight. I don’t have sesame seeds, so I think maybe I will drizzle a bit of sesame oil over the chicken.
    Tammi Kibler | How Do You Cook Quinoa´s last post ..Quinoa Kicks Rice to the Curb: Day 51

    • http://www.semisweetonline.com Semi-Sweet Sarah

      You’d better, Tammi! Love kohlrabi – it’s one of “those veggies” I’d never had ’til I got some in a CSA share. Probably more this year so would love to see your recipe!

  • http://howdoyoucookquinoa.com/ Tammi Kibler | How Do You Cook Quinoa

    This looks wonderful. I don’t have the spinach and peanuts on hand right now, but I am definitely going to try that Tahini Sauce this weekend.

    • http://www.semisweetonline.com Semi-Sweet Sarah

      It’s a good one, Tammi! Did you end up trying the sauce? What’d you think?

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