Oven-Roasted Chicken Breasts with Artichokes and Toasted Breadcrumbs

By molpel

If you can't find baby artichokes, use six large globe artichokes instead and cook them a bit longer, just until tender.

Ingredients

• 5 quarts water, divided
• 1/3 cup kosher salt
• 6 bone-in chicken breast halves, skinned
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 18 baby artichokes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 (14-ounce) can fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 1 1/2 ounces French bread baguette
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley

Details

Servings 6

Preparation

Step 1

1. Combine 3 quarts water and salt in a Dutch oven, stirring until the salt dissolves. Add chicken to salt mixture. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.

2. Combine remaining 2 quarts water and juice. Cut off stem of each artichoke to within 1 inch of base; peel stem. Remove bottom leaves and tough outer leaves, leaving tender heart and bottom. Cut each artichoke in half lengthwise; place in lemon water.

3. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Drain artichokes; pat dry. Add artichokes to pan. Cover and cook 10 minutes or until tender. Uncover and cook an additional 5 minutes or until browned, stirring frequently. Keep warm.

4. Preheat oven to 450°.

5. Remove chicken from salt mixture; discard salt mixture. Pat chicken dry; sprinkle evenly with pepper.

6. Heat canola oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Wrap handle of pan with foil. Add chicken to pan, meat side down; sauté 1 minute. Bake at 450° for 10 minutes. Turn chicken over; bake an additional 12 minutes or until done. Keep warm.

7. Place a zip-top plastic bag inside a 2-cup glass measure. Pour drippings into bag; let stand 10 minutes (fat will rise to the top). Seal bag; carefully snip off 1 bottom corner of bag. Drain drippings back into pan, stopping before fat layer reaches opening; discard fat.

8. Add white wine to drippings in pan; bring to a boil, scraping pan to loosen browned bits. Reduce heat, and simmer until reduced to 1 cup (about 5 minutes). Add broth to pan; simmer until reduced to 1 1/2 cups (about 10 minutes).

9. Reduce oven temperature to 350°. Place bread in food processor; pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs measure 1 cup. Combine remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and breadcrumbs in a bowl; toss to coat. Arrange crumbs in a single layer on a baking sheet; bake at 350° for 5 minutes or until golden. Add parsley; toss to combine. Serve chicken with artichokes and sauce. Top with breadcrumbs. Serve immediately.