Honey-Garlic Chicken Thighs & Seasonal Salad:

This is one of my favourite, quick go-to recipes I found on the internet way back. It’s quick and easy and full of flavour. I always add a salad for some gut-healthy fibre. At this time of year, it could be an Asian coleslaw (recipe below), or tossed green salad with beets (and/or any other pickled/canned veggies remaining from the winter), carrots, shredded purple cabbage, and a simple olive oil (healthy fat – don’t scrimp), apple cider vinegar salt & pepper dressing

Honey-Garlic Chicken Ingredients

• 6 chicken thighs – bone-in or boneless
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• salt and ground black pepper to taste
• 6 cloves garlic, crushed
• ⅓ cup honey (local honey is said to be beneficial for seasonal allergy sufferers)
• ¼ cup water or chicken stock (for added flavour)
• 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari for a gluten-free option

Directions

1. Season chicken with garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
2. Heat a pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and sear until golden, 10 to 12 minutes. Flip the chicken once half way through. If you are using skinless chicken, add a tbsp. of avocado oil to the pan and heat (1 min) before adding chicken. Drain most of the excess grease from the pan, leaving about 2 tablespoons behind.
3. Arrange chicken thighs skin-side down in the pan. Place crushed garlic between the chicken and fry until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
4. Add honey, water/chicken stock, vinegar, and soy/tamari sauce to a bowl and whisk until combined. Pour over chicken. Increase heat to medium-high and cook until sauce reduces down and thickens slightly, 3 to 4 minutes. Cooking time may be extended if you are using bone in thighs. Internal temperature of the chicken should be 77 degrees C.

Asian Coleslaw

Ingredients

• 3 cups thinly sliced green cabbage
• 1 cup thinly sliced purple cabbage
• ½ red onion, shredded. For a less intense onion flavour, use 3 sliced green onions
• 2 medium carrots, shredded
• 1 small apple (any variety will do), shredded

Combine above ingredients in a bowl

• ½ cup olive oil
• ¼ cup toasted sesame oil
• ½ cup (adjust to taste) apple cider vinegar
• ¼ cup toasted sesame seeds. Everything Bagel seasoning works, too (adjust salt if using)
• Salt & pepper to taste

Add above ingredients to a bowl and whisk until combined. Add to cabbage mixture and toss thoroughly making sure everything is coated. Add more oil or vinegar as desired.

NOTE: To toast sesame seeds, place on a cookie sheet and toast in a preheated 375 degree oven for 3 to 5 minutes.

Enjoy!