Recipe for Maple Glazed Chicken

Elder Care in East Quogue NY

At the end of a long day in your elder care routine there is nothing quite like settling down for a delicious, satisfying dinner that you know is nourishing your body as much as your mind and spirit. Whether you eat with your aging parents, they eat with the elderly health care services provider, or everyone eats together, the evening meal is the perfect opportunity to relax together, talk about the day, and replenish after all of the challenges and demands that you faced.

This recipe is for a cold weather meal that will satisfy your desire for something warm, delicious, and filling without going too far from your goal of giving your aging loved ones the nutrition that their bodies need to stay strong and healthy. Chicken breasts offer a familiar source of lean protein, while apples and shallots provide dietary fiber and vitamins, olive oil offers healthy omega-3 fatty acids, and the vinegar and maple syrup combine for a unique and delicious sauce that will change up your usual chicken routine and create something that every member of your family can enjoy together.

Try doing the chopping and prep work and storing the ingredients in individual containers in your parents’ refrigerator so that they and their elderly health care services provider can make this dish together for the mental and cognitive benefits of getting active in the kitchen together.

What You Will Need

• Two pounds of bone-in, skin on chicken breasts
• 1/4 of a cup of apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 of a cup of maple syrup
• 1/2 of a cup of low-sodium chicken broth
• 1/4 of a cup of fresh sage
• 8 medium shallots
• 1 red apple
• 1 green apple
• 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt
• A large heavy skillet
• A plate
• A sharp knife
• A cutting board
• A small bowl

What to Do

• Tear the sage and put aside
• Quarter the shallots lengthwise and put aside
• Core and cut the two apples into wedges and put aside
• Cut the chicken into large chunks
• Pat dry the chicken
• Season the chicken well with salt, all over
• Heat the large heavy skillet on high heat
• Add in olive oil
• When the oil is hot, add the chicken skin side down
• Allow to cook without moving for about 5 minutes, until the skin is browned and crisp
• Turn the chicken over
• Add in the apples, shallots and sage
• Reduce the heat to medium high
• Cook for another 4 to 5 minutes, until the chicken is now brown on the bottom
• Transfer the chicken to a plate
• Continue to cook the apples and shallots for about 2 more minutes while stirring continuously, until golden
• In the small bowl, mix the maple syrup, the chicken broth, vinegar and one half of a teaspoon of salt
• Mix well
• Add the glaze to the skillet with the shallots and apples
• Boil the glaze until it has reduced about three quarters, which should be between 2 and 3 minutes
• Return the chicken to the skillet
• Coat the chicken, turning to make sure to get both sides
• Cook for another 2 minutes, or until cooked all the way through
• Serve hot

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring professional elder care in East Quogue NY, call the caring staff at Artful Home Care today at 631-685-5001.