To top our seared, spiced chicken, we’re making a vibrant salsa with juicy tomatoes, spicy pickled jalapeño, and scallions—contrasted by a finishing dollop of creamy fromage blanc. A simple combo of jasmine rice and sautéed zucchini makes for the perfect base to balance out the bold flavors.
Ingredients
Ingredients
- 2 Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts
- 1/2 c Jasmine Rice
- 4 oz Grape Or Cherry Tomatoes
- 2 Scallions
- 1 Zucchini
- 1 tbsp Rice Vinegar
- 1 oz Sliced Pickled Jalapeño Pepper
- 2 tbsp Fromage Blanc
- 1 tbsp Mexican Spice Blend (Ancho Chile Powder, Smoked Paprika, Garlic Powder, Ground Cumin & Dried Mexican Oregano)
Instructions
Instructions
Cook the rice:
In a medium pot, combine the rice, a pinch of salt, and 1 cup of water. Heat to boiling on high. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook, without stirring, 12 to 14 minutes, or until the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Turn off the heat and fluff with a fork. Cover to keep warm.
Cook the chicken:
While the rice cooks, pat the chicken dry with paper towels; season on both sides with salt, pepper, and enough of the spice blend to coat (you may have extra). In a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 2 teaspoons of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned chicken. Cook 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through. Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a cutting board.
Prepare the remaining ingredients & make the salsa:
While the chicken cooks, wash and dry the fresh produce. Halve the zucchini lengthwise, then thinly slice crosswise. Halve the tomatoes. Thinly slice the scallions, separating the white bottoms and hollow green tops. Roughly chop the pepper. Thoroughly wash your hands, knife, and cutting board immediately after handling. In a bowl, combine the halved tomatoes, sliced green tops of the scallions, half the vinegar, 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil, and as much of the chopped pepper as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the salsa to be. Season with salt and pepper.
Cook the zucchini:
To the pan of reserved fond, add 1 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil; heat on medium-high until hot. Add the sliced zucchini in an even layer; season with salt and pepper. Cook, without stirring, 3 to 4 minutes, or until lightly browned. Add the sliced white bottoms of the scallions. Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until slightly softened. Turn off the heat.
Finish the rice & serve your dish:
Add the cooked zucchini and remaining vinegar to the pot of cooked rice; stir to combine. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Slice the cooked chicken crosswise. Serve the sliced chicken over the finished rice. Top with the salsa and fromage blanc. Enjoy!