By Mayo Clinic Staff
Chicken stir-fry with eggplant and basil

Dietitian's tip:

This colorful main dish requires a fair amount of chopping, but the cooking takes only minutes. Wait to cut up the eggplant until just before cooking to prevent discoloration.

Number of servings

Serves 4
  1. Diabetes meal plan
  2. Low-sodium
  3. Weight management
  4. Low-fat
  5. Healthy-carb
  6. High-fiber

Ingredients

  1. 1/4 cup coarsely chopped fresh basil
  2. 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
  3. 3/4 cup low-sodium chicken stock or broth, divided
  4. 3 green (spring) onions, including tender green tops, 2 coarsely chopped and 1 thinly sliced
  5. 2 cloves garlic
  6. 1 tablespoon peeled and chopped fresh ginger
  7. 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  8. 1 small eggplant, with peel, diced (about 4 cups)
  9. 1 yellow onion, coarsely chopped (about 1/2 cup)
  10. 1 red bell pepper, seeded and julienned
  11. 1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and julienned
  12. 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into strips 1/2 inch wide and 2 inches long
  13. 2 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce

Directions

In a blender or food processor, combine the basil, mint, 1/4 cup stock, chopped green onions, garlic and ginger. Pulse until the mixture is minced but not pureed. Set aside.

In a large, nonstick frying pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant, yellow onion and bell peppers and saute until the vegetables are just tender, about 8 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and cover with a kitchen towel to keep warm.

Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the pan and heat over medium-high heat. Add the basil mixture and saute for about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add the chicken strips and soy sauce and saute until the chicken is almost opaque throughout, about 2 minutes.

Add the remaining 1/2 cup stock and bring to a boil. Return the eggplant mixture to the pan and stir until heated through, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a warmed serving dish and garnish with the sliced green onion. Serve immediately.

Nutritional analysis per serving

Serving size: About 2 cups

  • Total carbohydrate 14 g
  • Dietary fiber 4 g
  • Sodium 395 mg
  • Saturated fat 2 g
  • Total fat 10 g
  • Added sugars 0 g
  • Cholesterol 83 mg
  • Protein 29 g
  • Monounsaturated fat 6 g
  • Calories 262
  • Trans fat Trace
  • Total sugars 7 g

This recipe is one of 150 recipes collected in "The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook," published by Mayo Clinic Health Information and Oxmoor House, and winner of a James Beard award.

Sept. 08, 2017