Loving the BITE: Cumin Grilled Chicken Breasts

08
Sep
2011

I love this spice.  Most anytime I cook, no matter what I’m cooking, I’m tempted to start shaking it in.  And not with the little holes on the top of the spice container.  Nope.  I use the big gaping spoon-insert one.  Maybe I lack creativity and culinary know-how.  But you can’t argue with delicious flavor.

And I’m not alone.  Cumin is the second most used spice worldwide after black pepper and it just happens to be our key Loving the Bite ingredient this week.  Of course, it’s not all about flavor – cumin has plenty to offer to keep you cycling stronger and longer.

Here are two simple recipes you can use alone or in combination to get your cumin fix:

Cumin Grilled Chicken Breasts 

(adapted from http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ellie-krieger/cumin-grilled-chicken-breasts-recipe/index.html)

Ingredients:

  • Cooking spray
  • 4 skinless boneless chicken breast halves (5 to 6 ounces each) or 8 skinless chicken thighs pounded to 1/2-inch thickness (organic and free-range, if possible)
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper

*Try using this recipe with other protein sources such as firm tofu or turkey.

Instructions: 

  1. Spray a grill or grill pan with cooking spray and heat to medium-high heat.
  2. Rub chicken with olive oil.
  3. Combine cumin, salt and pepper and rub spice mixture evenly onto chicken breasts.
  4. Grill until grill marks have formed and chicken is cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove from heat, let rest for 5 minutes, then slice into 1/2-inch thick slices.
  5. Serve with grilled yellow squash, which of course, also tastes wonderful when flavored with cumin!

Per Serving:

Calories 170; Total Fat 6 g; (Sat Fat 1.5 g, Mono Fat 3 g, Poly Fat 1 g) ; Protein 29g; Carb 0 g; Fiber 0 g; Cholesterol 80 mg; Sodium 360 mg

Bonus Recipe:

Hummus with a Big Dose of Cumin (this one, obviously was not adapted from anyone but my cumin-lovin’ self)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cans garbanzo beans OR 4 cups cooked garbanzo bean + ¼ – ½ cup water
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • ½ lemon
  • 1 Tbsp tahini
  • Cumin, to taste,
  • Salt, to taste
  • Pepper, to taste
  • ¼ cup olive oil

Instructions:

  1. Place 1 can garbanzo beans (including liquid) and 1 can drained garbanzo beans in a blender or food processor.
  2. Add 1 clove minced garlic, juice from ½ lemon, and 1 tbsp tahini.
  3. Process until smooth.
  4. Add cumin, salt, and pepper to taste – mix well.
  5. Top with olive oil.

Comments:

A good spice can go a long way.  And cumin, it turns out, is no exception.  When you flavor your food with cumin, you’re:

  • Improving your digestion.  Let’s face it – athletes often have digestion issues to deal with – whether it’s from timing food intake with a workout, the extra gas that’s produced from gulping air or gulping food during training, or just the “pounding” our insides can take from the motions of running or cycling.  Cumin improves gastric motility (how food moves through your digestive system) and pancreatic enzyme secretion which helps you break down food efficiently.  In fact, cumin may just reduce gassiness (I tried to think of more to say after this sentence, but nothing seemed appropriate – we’ll just say that I live in a house with 3 males!).
  • Reducing your risk of cancer.  Both stomach and liver tumor risk have been reduced in animal studies using cumin.  And, who couldn’t use a little cancer-risk-reduction?
  • Increasing antioxidants in your blood.  You simply can’t get enough of these especially with the increase in oxygen turnover in the athlete’s body.  Antioxidants, which give cumin its rich color, will scavenge the free radicals in your blood (which cause cell damage) and reduce the amount of cholesterol that’s able to enter the cell wall and form plaques – and cumin’s got ‘em.

This week, think beyond protein, vegetables, fats, fruit, and other food groups – think herbs and spices for health.  Choose richly colored ones for a source of antioxidants and great taste.  Cumin’s delicious flavor makes it an easy one to use.  In everything.  Really.

Fuel Your Ride.  Nourish Your Body. 

Enjoy Your Ride

Tags: , , ,

Pin It

5 Responses to “ Loving the BITE: Cumin Grilled Chicken Breasts ”

  1. Kristin Pokoyoway on September 12, 2011 at 9:14 pm

    I watch your blog every week for new recipe’s. So far, everyone we’ve made turns out excellent. Made this as a slow cooker too, delicious!! Thanks again 🙂

    • Kelli on September 12, 2011 at 9:18 pm

      Awesome Kristin – I’m so glad you liked this one and the others.  Last time I made the Cumin Chicken, I used the meat as filling for chicken tacos – yum.  Take care and always feel free to make requests:)

      • Kristin on September 12, 2011 at 10:47 pm

        Well…I am always looking for chicken recipes. We eat a lot of chicken, so it’s all about being creative and healthy!

  2. Amanda Gale Kotyk on September 8, 2011 at 5:37 pm

    Thanks again for another great recipe, Kelli.  I use cumin in almost everything….will definitely try this simple chicken recipe!  

    • Kelli Myers Jennings on September 8, 2011 at 6:40 pm

      You’re very welcome, Amanda.  This recipe is surprisingly good for how simple & easy it is. I’ve actually used it as a slow cooker recipe as well – works great!

Calendar

    March 2024
    M T W T F S S
     123
    45678910
    11121314151617
    18192021222324
    25262728293031

Archives

Sugar Alternatives for Energy and Hydration

Question: I am using the homebrew sugar formulations (sometimes added to green tea).  I am also trying to wean myself off 1/2 dose adrenalean “lip tonic delivery system” (biorhythm brand- caffeine, hoodia g, synephrine, yohimbe) capsule for energy.

My question is other than juice, can you suggest modifications in lieu of table sugar for energy and hydration.

Answer:

Both raw/organic honey or agave can work great in the homebrew (substitute in the same quantities for the sugar, or to taste), but you do have to shake well in order to make sure they don’t settle out.  Have you tried either of these?  Also, make sure to use at least the minimum amount of salt recommended in the homebrew as the temps rise, you need the sodium replacement if you’re sweating.

Sports Drink Homebrew

Please send us your questions for our Expert Sports Nutritionist, Kelli Jennings to “Ask the Sports Nutritionist“. Kelli Jennings is a Registered Dietitian with a passion for healthy eating, wellness, & sports nutrition. For more information go to www.apexnutritionllc.com.

Nutrition Tips