Heat water to boiling. Combine cornmeal, milk, salt, and sugar. Slowly stir into boiling water. Simmer, stirring frequently, until mixture is very thick but still soft rather than stiff – about 7-8 minutes. Stir in parmigiano, cover, and set aside to keep warm.
Mix chicken tenders or strips with 2 teaspoons garlic, salt and pepper; set aside. Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in skillet. Sautee red onion, asparagus, and rosemary 4 minutes. Add remaining 2 teaspoons chopped garlic, and cook until tender-crisp. Season to taste and set aside on plate.
Add pecan halves to skillet and toast until slightly darkened, crisp, and fragrant: 3-5 minutes. Add to vegetable mixture.
Add remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil to skillet. Add chicken and cook, stirring frequently, until cooked through: 10-12 minutes. Return vegetables and pecans to skillet with chicken and cook briefly to heat through. To serve, spoon warm polenta onto each plate, and top with chicken and vegetable mixture. Drizzle each serving with lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil and serve.
Nutrition information per serving – calories: 481; protein: 30g; carbs: 29g; saturated fat: 5g; monounsaturated: 14g; polyunsaturated fat: 6g; cholesterol: 77mg; fiber: 5g; sodium: 637 mg.