Trattoria Chicken Recipes

TUSCAN CHICKEN IN CREAMY SUN DRIED TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 160C/320F. Trim the chicken breasts to remove any fatty parts.
• Whisk the egg lightly in a shallow bowl.
• In a separate shallow bowl, mix together the flour, salt, pepper, oregano, thyme, paprika and garlic salt.
• Heat 2 tbsp of the olive oil in a large frying pan (skillet) on a medium-to-high heat.
• Dip the chicken breasts in the egg, then dredge in the flour mixture.
• Place the chicken in the pan and fry on both sides until golden.
• Take the chicken out of the pan and place on a tray in the oven for 10 minutes to finish cooking whilst you make the sauce.
• Add the oil to the pan and heat on a medium heat.
• Add the onion and cook for 3-4 minutes until they start to soften.
• Add the garlic, oregano, paprika, sun dried tomatoes, red pepper and tomato puree. Cook for 2 minutes, moving around the pan with a spatula.
• Next pour in the wine and allow to bubble for 2 minutes,
• Now add the chicken stock, salt and pepper. Bring the boil, then simmer for 5 minutes.
• Add the cream, parmesan and the spinach to the sauce and stir and cook for a couple of minutes until the spinach wilts.
• Remove the chicken from the oven. Check it's done (insert a knife into the fattest piece of one of the chicken breasts - it should no longer be pink) and place in the pan with the sauce and cook for another couple of minutes.
• Serve topped with a sprinkling of fresh parsley. Tastes great with pasta, courgetti (zoodles), rice or saute potatoes.

CHICKEN TORTILLA CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Cook the rice according to the package directions. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil and add the tomatoes, garlic and onions. Stir and cook for a minute or 2. Add 2 teaspoons of the chili powder, 1 teaspoon of the paprika and 1 teaspoon of the cumin. Stir and cook the mixture for another minute or 2 in order to release the flavors. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and set aside.
• In the same skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Add the chicken along with the remaining 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 teaspoon paprika, 1 teaspoon cumin and some salt and pepper and cook until the chicken is deep golden brown and done in the middle, 4 to 5 minutes. Add 1 cup water and stir to make a sauce. Allow the sauce to boil until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Stir in the pinto and kidney beans and set aside.
• To assemble, pour half of the jar of salsa verde (about a cup) in the bottom of a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish or disposable foil baking pan. Layer half of the tortillas on top of the salsa verde, overlapping the edges. Spoon the rice over the tortillas, spread the tomato mixture over the rice then sprinkle the corn over the tomatoes. Next, add the chicken and bean mixture, then sprinkle on half the cheese and pour over half the Enchilada Sauce. Next, add the remaining tortillas in a layer, pour on the rest of the salsa verde and Enchilada Sauce and sprinkle on the rest of the cheese.
• Cover the casserole with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking until hot and bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes. Allow the casserole to sit for a few minutes before serving up to ensure it holds together. Serve with sour cream and cilantro for topping.
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the peppers, onions and garlic and cook until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, cayenne, bouillon cube and some salt and pepper and cook until the spices darken and their flavors are released, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle in the flour, stir to combine and cook it for another minute. Add the stock and stir to combine, then allow the liquid to thicken. Add the tomato sauce and 1 1/2 cups water and bring to a boil. Cook until the sauce is nice and thick and reduced by about a third, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Allow the sauce to cool slightly, then use an immersion blender to completely puree the sauce until smooth. (Alternatively, you can transfer it to a blender to puree it; just make sure the sauce is cooled, as blending hot liquids is dangerous!)
• The sauce will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week and can also be frozen! Just reheat the sauce in a saucepan or skillet for whatever recipe calls for it.

TRATTORIA CHICKEN

Steps:

• In a large non stick skillet heat the oil and add the butter.
• Sprinkle each chicken breast with salt, pepper and Italian seasoning.
• Add the chicken to the skillet.
• Cook for about 4-5 minutes per side.
• Remove from heat and top each breast with 3 slices of tomatoes, 1 basil leaf, and 3 Tbs.
• cheese.
• Cover the skillet and return to medium heat.
• Cook until the cheese is melted and chicken is no longer pink in the center.
• About 2-3 minutes.