Vanilla Balsamic Chicken

Ingredients

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1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar

1/4 cup finely chopped shallots

1/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 teaspoon grated orange rind

1/4 cup fresh orange juice

1 (2-inch) piece vanilla bean, split lengthwise

3/4 teaspoon salt, divided

16 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (about 2 pounds)

Cooking spray

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Orange rind strips (optional)

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450°.

Combine first 6 ingredients in a small saucepan. Scrape seeds from vanilla bean; stir seeds into broth mixture, reserving the bean for another use. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until reduced to 1/2 cup (about 20 minutes). Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Arrange chicken in a single layer in the bottom of a roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle chicken evenly with remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper. Bake at 450° for 10 minutes.

Brush half of broth mixture over chicken; bake 5 minutes. Brush remaining broth mixture over chicken; bake 15 minutes or until a thermometer registers 180°. Garnish with orange rind, if desired.

Source:  cookinglight.com