Tuscan-Style Grilled Chicken Kebabs

From our friends at the American Heart Association

Image courtesy of the American Heart Association

Servings: 4

Image courtesy of the American Heart Association

These grilled chicken-and-vegetable kebabs feature the flavors of sunny Tuscany — lemon, rosemary, garlic, and oregano. Serve them with brown rice studded with sun-dried tomatoes for a rustic and satisfying dinner.

Ingredients

1 teaspoon grated lemon zest

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon fresh, chopped rosemary

1 teaspoon dried rosemary (crushed)

2 teaspoons olive oil

2 cloves fresh garlic (minced)

1 teaspoon dried oregano (crumbled)

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, all visible fat discarded, cut into 16 cubes

16 whole button or cremini mushrooms (about 1/2 ounce each), ends trimmed

1 medium green bell pepper, cut into 16 pieces

16 cherry tomatoes

non-stick cooking spray

1/2 cup uncooked, instant brown rice

1 cup fat-free, low-sodium chicken broth

1/4 cup dry-packed sun-dried tomatoes, cut into 1/4-inch cubes

Directions

In a medium nonmetallic bowl, stir together the lemon zest, lemon juice, rosemary, oil, garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes. Add the chicken, stirring to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. The chicken can marinate for up to 8 hours for even more flavor. Turn several times if marinating for more than 30 minutes.
Soak eight 8-inch wooden skewers for at least 10 minutes in cold water to keep them from charring, or use metal skewers. Preheat the grill on medium high.
Drain the chicken and discard the marinade. Alternately thread the chicken, mushrooms, bell pepper, and tomatoes on the skewers. Lightly spray all sides with cooking spray.
In a medium saucepan, bring the broth and tomatoes to a boil over high heat. Stir in the rice. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and let stand for about 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
Meanwhile, grill the kebabs for 2 to 3 minutes on each side (8 to 12 minutes total), or until the chicken is no longer pink in the center and the vegetables are tender. Serve with the rice on the side.

Nutrition Facts

Per serving (serves 4)

1 serving = 2 kebabs (3 ounces chicken and 1/2 cup vegetables) and 1/2 cup brown rice

Calories	213
Total Fat	2.5 g (0.5 g saturated fat, 0.0 g trans fat, 0.5 g polyunsaturated fat, 0.5 g monounsaturated fat)
Cholesterol	66 mg
Sodium	16 mg
Total Carbohydrate	16 g (3 g dietary fiber, 4 g sugars)
Protein	31 g
Dietary Exchanges	1/2 starch, 3 very lean meat, 1 vegetable