Pan Seared Chicken with Olives

By Katecooks

Ingredients

• Chicken:
• Four 8-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for searing
• 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots (about 1 small)
• 1 clove garlic, finely minced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Pan Sauce:
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 teaspoons finely sliced fresh basil, optional
• 1 small clove garlic, minced
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Extra-virgin olive oil, if needed
• 1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, coarsely chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced shallots (about 1/2 small)
• 1/4 cup sherry vinegar
• 1/2 cup chicken broth (store-bought or homemade)
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• Chopped fresh herbs, such as parsley, basil and chives, for garnish, optional

Details

Servings 4
Preparation time 40mins
Cooking time 95mins
Adapted from foodnetwork.com

Preparation

Step 1

Pan Sauce:
For the chicken: Using a meat mallet, evenly pound the chicken breast halves between 2 sheets of plastic wrap to 1/4-inch thickness. Put the chicken into a heavy resealable bag or 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Add the oil, parsley, shallots and garlic; sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper and mix in the bag or toss in the baking dish until the chicken is coated in the marinade. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Using tongs, remove the chicken from the marinade, allowing the oil to drain. (It's ok if some of the garlic and shallots still cling to the chicken.) Discard the marinade.

Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large (12- to 14-inch) skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add the chicken breasts, 2 at a time, being sure to space them out in the skillet. (Avoid over-crowding, or you won't get a good sear.) Sear until light golden on the first side, 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and sear on the other side until the chicken is cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes more. Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. Cook the remaining 2 chicken breasts, adding another tablespoon of oil if needed. Reserve the skillet for the sauce.

For the pan sauce: In a small bowl, combine the tomatoes, basil if using and the garlic; season with salt and pepper and toss to combine. Set aside.

Pour out all but 2 tablespoons oil from the skillet. If the skillet is dry and more oil is needed, add about 2 tablespoons. Over medium heat, add the olives and shallots and cook until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the vinegar and cook, scraping up any browned bits in the skillet. Whisk in the chicken broth and any pan juices the chicken released on the platter and bring to a simmer. Cook until the liquid has reduced by half. Stir in the mustard, add the seasoned tomatoes and cook, stirring, until heated through, about 1 minute; season with salt and pepper if needed.

Spoon the sauce over the chicken on the platter, garnish with chopped herbs if using and serve immediately with the Winter Greens Salad on the side if desired.