Spring Chicken Niçoise Recipes

SPRING CHICKEN NIçOISE

Steps:

• Set a steamer basket in a wide pot containing 1 inch water; bring to a boil. Season chicken with salt. Lay oregano sprigs in bottom of basket; add chicken and potatoes. Reduce heat to medium, cover, and steam until potatoes are fork-tender, 12 to 14 minutes. Transfer potatoes to a plate; add peas to basket. Cover and cook until peas are tender and chicken is cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes more. Transfer chicken to plate; run peas under cold water in a colander. Shred chicken into bite-size pieces.
• Whisk together lemon juice, Dijon, 1/2 teaspoon water, and oil. Stir in chopped oregano; season with salt and pepper. Toss lettuces, potatoes, chicken, and peas lightly with dressing. Arrange on plates with cheese and olives. Drizzle with additional dressing and serve.

GRILLED CHICKEN NICOISE

Steps:

• Drain tomatoes and pat them dry. (If using dry-packed, pour boiling water over them to re-hydrate. Let soften for 20 minutes. Drain and pat dry.
• Mince the garlic in a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Add the sun-dried tomatoes and the remainder of the marinade ingredients. Process until pureed to the consistency of a thick paste. Reserve 2 Tbsp of the marinade for the sauce. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Place each chicken breast half between 2 pieces of wax paper. Use a mallet to pound them to 1/2-inch thickness.
• Place the chicken breasts in a large shallow glass dish. Pat/spread the marinade over the chicken. Turn chicken coat both sides evenly. Cover and refrigerate the chicken for a minimum of two hours and a maximum of eight.
• To make the sauce, combine the reserved marinade, lemon juice, sour cream, salt and pepper in a small mixing bowl and whisk until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings. Set aside.
• Grill the chicken on medium-high heat. Grill about 3 inches from the heat for about 7 minutes on each side, or until opaque throughout.
• To serve, place the sauce in a small saucepan and over low heat gently heat to simmering. Place the chicken on a serving platter. Drizzle warm sauce over the chicken, and garnish with parsley. Serve immediately.

CHICKEN BREASTS NICOISE

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
• When hot, add the breasts; saute until well browned on both sides, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
• Remove and set aside.
• Add the onion and saute until softened, 3 to 4 minutes; add the garlic and continue to cook until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
• Add the tomatoes with their juice and crush lightly with a fork.
• Add the olives, red wine, broth, Pernod, if using, and herbes do Provence.
• Cook until reduced and thickened slightly, 8 to 10 minutes.
• Return the breasts to the skillet; reduce the heat to low.
• Cook, covered, turning once, until the chicken is no longer pink in the thickest portion when cut with a knife, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
• I like to serve this with rice and steamed runner beans.