PISTACHIO CHICKEN PACKETS

If you aren't used to cooking with pistachios, bring this new idea into your kitchen. They are not only tasty but healthy as well. This recipe for Pistachio Chicken Packets is great whether baked in the oven or cooked on the grill. Great for diabetics as pistachios have been shown to slow the absorption of carbohydrates resulting in lower blood sugar levels.

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

4 pieces aluminum foil 18 x 12-inches each

1 tbsp olive or canola oil

1/4 tsp garlic salt

dash of paprika

1/4 cup finely chopped pistachios

2 tbsp chopped green onion

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray each of the aluminum foil sheets lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

Place a chicken breast in the center of each of the foil sheets. Brush the chicken with the olive or canola oil. Sprinkle the garlic salt and paprika over the chicken breasts. Using double folds, fold the sides and ends of the foil sheets to packet chicken packets. Don't fasten down tight, leave some space for the air to circulate over the chicken. Place the packets on a cookie sheet and place in oven. Bake at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

Remove cookie sheet from the oven and carefully open one end of each foil packet allowing the steam to escape. Be careful not to let the steam burn you. Once the steam has escaped, open the packets completely. Sprinkle the pistachios and green onion over the chicken breasts. Leaving the foil open, return to the oven and bake an additional 5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

Option: Place packets on grill and cook until chicken is cooked through.