Quick Chicken Yassa with Green Beans

A quick Senegalese-inspired yassa pairs juicy chicken thighs with mustardy lemon onions, seasonal Washington green beans, and brown rice.

Ingredients

  • Foster Farms Fresh & Natural Chicken Thighs Value Pack
    1 lb $1.29
  • Fresh Bagged Green Beans
    8 oz $2.19
  • Jumbo Sweet Onions
    8 oz $1.19
  • Garlic
    2 cloves $0.79
  • Fresh Organic Lemon
    1 $1.29
  • Kroger® Long Grain Brown Rice
    1/2 cup dry $0.99
  • Water
    1 3/4 cups
  • Dijon mustard
    1 1/2 tablespoons
  • Olive oil
    1 tablespoon
  • Kosher salt
    3/4 teaspoon
  • Black pepper
    1/4 teaspoon
  • Ground cayenne pepper
    1/8 teaspoon

Instructions

  1. Thinly slice 8 oz jumbo sweet onions, mince 2 garlic cloves, trim 8 oz green beans, and juice 1 fresh organic lemon. Pat 1 lb chicken thighs dry and season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  2. Combine 1/2 cup dry brown rice, 1 cup water, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil, cover, and simmer over low heat for 18 minutes; remove from the heat and let stand, covered, for 5 minutes.
  3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Sear the seasoned 1 lb chicken thighs until well browned, about 4 minutes per side, then transfer them to a plate.
  4. Add 8 oz sliced jumbo sweet onions to the skillet and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes. Stir in 2 minced garlic cloves and cook for 30 seconds.
  5. Stir in the juice of 1 fresh organic lemon, 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard, 3/4 cup water, and 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper. Return the seared 1 lb chicken thighs to the skillet, cover, and simmer gently for 15 minutes.
  6. Add 8 oz trimmed green beans around the chicken, cover, and simmer for 8–10 minutes, until the beans are crisp-tender and the thickest part of the chicken reaches at least 165°F.
  7. Divide everything between two shallow bowls, placing the chicken and green beans over the rice and spooning the glossy onion sauce on top.

Total time: 45 minutes

Estimated cost: $6–$8 for 2 servings

Health notes: About 590 calories per serving, with roughly 35 grams of protein, whole-grain carbohydrates, and a generous portion of vegetables.

Drink pairing: An off-dry Chenin Blanc softens the mustard and cayenne while complementing the sweet onions.