Heavenly Chicken

Photo: flickr user syvwlch

Ingredients

4 chicken breast halves

12 fresh or frozen asparagus spears

1/4 cup water

1/4 cup butter or margarine

4 tablespoons flour

1/8 teaspoon ground ginger

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1/2 cup dry white wine

Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1/4 cup chopped pecans

1/4 cup crushed crackers

Preparation

On microwave-safe roasting pan, arrange breasts, bone side up, in a circular pattern. Cover loosely with plastic wrap; microwave at MEDIUM-HIGH (70%% power) 8 minutes per pound. Halfway through cooking time turn breasts over; re-cover with plastic wrap and complete cooking. Let stand, covered, 10 minutes.

Rinse asparagus and remove tough end. On microwave-safe rack, arrange asparagus with stem ends toward outside. Place rack in microwave-safe utensil. Add water; cover with plastic wrap. Microwave at HIGH (100%% power) 5 to 7 minutes or until tender-crisp. Let stand, covered, 3 to 5 minutes.

In 4-cup glass container, place butter; microwave at HIGH 1 minute. Blend flour and ginger into melted butter. Gradually add chicken broth, wine, salt and pepper, stirring constantly. Microwave at HIGH 5 minutes or until thick and smooth, stirring 3 times.

In 12 x 8-inch microwave-safe dish, arrange cooked asparagus, with stem ends toward outside; pour half of wine sauce over asparagus. Arrange chicken breasts on top with meatier portions toward outside; spoon remaining sauce over breasts. Sprinkle pecans and cracker crumbs on top; cover with a double thickness of paper towels. Microwave at MEDIUM-HIGH 5 minutes or until heated through.