Chicken Marengo

By Grandmax4

Ingredients

• 4 (6-ounce) skinless boneless chicken breast halves
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 large portabella mushrooms, stems and gills discarded and caps thinly sliced
• 1 small shallot, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme, crumbled
• 1/2 cup dry red wine
• 1 (14- to 15-ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained and chopped
• 1/2 cup beef or veal demi-glace*
• 1/2 cup water

Details

Servings 4
Adapted from epicurious.com

Preparation

Step 1

Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.

Pat chicken dry, then combine flour, salt, and pepper in a large sealable plastic bag and add chicken. Seal bag and shake to coat, then remove chicken, knocking off excess flour. Arrange in 1 layer on a plate.

Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy ovenproof skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté chicken, smooth sides down, until golden, about 2 minutes. Turn over and sauté 1 minute more. Scatter mushrooms around chicken and transfer skillet to oven, then bake, uncovered, until chicken is just cooked through, 5 to 10 minutes.

Transfer chicken to a plate, then add shallot, garlic, and thyme to skillet (handle will be hot) and sauté over moderately high heat, stirring, 1 minute. Add wine and boil, stirring and scraping up brown bits, until reduced by half, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes, demi-glace, and water and simmer until mushrooms are tender and sauce is reduced by half, about 4 minutes. Season with pepper.

Return chicken to skillet and simmer, turning, about 1 minute.

*Available at specialty foods shops. You can also buy Demi-Glace Gold and reconstitute according to package instruction — specialty foods shops and More Than Gourmet (800-860-9385).