Heath Notes

Basil and Five Spice Chicken Legs with Cantaloupe Salad

Related recipes: Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Fruit, Low-Carb, Main Dishes, National Chicken Council, Poultry, Summer

Make it a Meal

Add these dishes to make a full meal:

Hunan Hot and Sour Soup

Roasted Sesame Green Beans

Mango Parfait

Wine Pairings

Preparation facts

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

4 chicken leg quarters

16 basil leaves

Marinade

1 Tbs five-spice powder

1 stalk lemon grass, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 Tbs vegetable oil

3 Tbs water

Cantaloupe Salad

1/2 cantaloupe, thinly sliced

1/2 tsp five-spice powder

2 Tbs rice vinegar

1 1/2 Tbs vegetable oil

2 tsp brown sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

12 basil leaves, sliced

Directions

Lift the skin on leg quarters and press 4 basil leaves under each. Place chicken in resealable plastic bags.

In blender, mix 1 tablespoon five-spice powder, lemon grass, soy sauce, vegetable oil and water. Puree until smooth. Pour mixture into plastic bag with chicken; seal and shake until chicken is coated. Refrigerate at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours.

When ready to cook, prepare coals for grill, or preheat gas grill. Place chicken on grill over medium heat and cook, turning, until firm and cooked thoroughly, about 10 - 15 minutes per side.

While chicken is cooking, prepare salad by whisking together in medium bowl five-spice powder, rice vinegar, 1 1/2 tablespoons vegetable oil, brown sugar, salt and pepper. Set aside. Arrange cantaloupe slices on serving plates or platter. Drizzle salad dressing over cantaloupe; sprinkle with slivered basil leaves. Place chicken legs next to salad to serve.

Nutrition note: Nutrition caculation based on skinless legs.

Recipe courtesy of the National Chicken Council

Nutrition facts

Serving Size 1 serving

Calories 362

Calories from Fat 177 (49%)

% Daily Value*

32%Total Fat 21g

18%Saturated Fat 3.6g

Polyunsaturated Fat 7.3g

Monounsaturated Fat 8g

30%Cholesterol 90mg

38%Sodium 918mg

19%Potassium 671mg

6%Total Carbohydrate 19g

4%Dietary Fiber 1g

Sugars 8g

Sugar Alcohols 0g

57%Protein 29g

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutrition facts are calculated by a food expert using nutritional values provided by the USDA for common products used as recipe ingredients. Actual nutritional values may differ depending on the amounts or products used and can be affected by cooking methods.

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The information presented in the Food Guide is for informational purposes only and was created by a team of US–registered dietitians and food experts. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2009.