Description
Succulent Italian chicken in tomato sauce delivers Mediterranean comfort with robust flavors. Fresh herbs and tender meat create a classic Italian dining experience you’ll savor from first bite to last.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 chicken breasts or thighs (boneless, skinless)
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) crushed tomatoes
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 3 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup (120 ml) chicken broth
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt (to taste)
- Black pepper (to taste)
- Fresh parsley or basil (for garnish)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Seasoning: Evenly coat chicken breasts with salt and black pepper, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Searing: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high flame until it ripples with intense heat, then strategically place chicken to develop a robust golden-brown crust, cooking approximately 3-4 minutes per side to seal in rich flavors.
- Preliminary Removal: Extract partially seared chicken and reserve on a clean plate, preparing for the subsequent sauce integration.
- Aromatic Foundation: In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic and diced onions until translucent and fragrant, releasing their essential oils and creating a flavor-packed base.
- Sauce Development: Pour crushed tomatoes and tomato paste into the skillet, incorporating dried oregano, basil, and red pepper flakes, stirring to blend the vibrant ingredients into a harmonious sauce.
- Liquid Infusion: Add white wine to deglaze the pan, scraping up caramelized bits while introducing depth and complexity to the developing sauce.
- Chicken Reintegration: Gently return seared chicken to the simmering sauce, nestling pieces to ensure complete coverage and allowing them to finish cooking through.
- Simmering Finale: Reduce heat to low, cover the skillet, and allow the chicken to poach in the rich tomato sauce for 15-20 minutes, ensuring tender, thoroughly cooked meat that absorbs the intricate flavor profile.
- Garnishing: Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley and grate parmesan cheese over the dish just before serving, adding a final layer of aromatic freshness and savory complexity.
Notes
- Seal in Flavor: Ensure the skillet is hot enough before adding chicken to create a perfect golden-brown crust that locks in moisture and develops rich caramelized notes.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Use a spacious skillet to prevent chicken pieces from steaming instead of searing, which helps achieve that desirable crispy exterior.
- Temperature Control: Use medium-high heat to create an even golden crust without burning the chicken, watching carefully for the ideal color and texture.
- Resting is Crucial: Let the chicken rest briefly after initial searing to redistribute internal juices, preventing dryness and maintaining tenderness during subsequent cooking stages.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 40 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg