Chicken Breast Valdostana With Braised Lentils Food

CHICKEN BREAST VALDOSTANA WITH BRAISED LENTILS

Steps:

• Prepare the braised lentils with spinach through step 1.
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Trim any excess fat, skin, and cartilage from the chicken pieces. Place a piece of prosciutto over each chicken breast, trimming and layering each so it covers the chicken breasts as neatly as possible. Using the back of a large knife, gently pound the prosciutto into the chicken so it adheres. Dredge the chicken breasts in flour to coat them lightly and tap off any excess flour.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter and the olive oil in a 12- to 14-inch skillet with an ovenproof handle until the butter is foaming. Place in the skillet as many of the chicken pieces, prosciutto side down, as will fit without touching. Cook just until they begin to brown, about 2 minutes. (Overcooking will toughen the prosciutto.) Turn the chicken and cook until the second side is golden brown, about 3 minutes. Repeat, if necessary with the remaining chicken breasts, removing the browned chicken to make room. Adjust the heat as you work so the chicken doesn't burn or stick in places.
• Pour the wine into the skillet and shake gently to dislodge any brown bits that stick to the pan. Boil until reduced by half. Pour the chicken stock into the skillet and distribute the crushed tomatoes and remaining 2 tablespoons butter in between the pieces of chicken. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat so the sauce is simmering, tilting the skillet to mix the sauce. Drape the sliced Fontina over the chicken pieces to cover them completely. Dot the center of each chicken breast with a small circle of tomato sauce or a small mound of crushed tomatoes and sprinkle with the grated cheese. Place the pan in the oven and bake until the chicken is cooked through, the sauce is bubbling, and the cheese is lightly browned around the edges, about 10 minutes.
• While the chicken is in the oven, finish the braised lentils.
• Very carefully remove the pan to the stovetop and let stand a minute or two before serving.
• Spoon a mound of lentils onto the center of a warm dinner plate, Top with a chicken breast and spoon some of the sauce around the lentils.
• *Ask for the prosciutto sliced slightly thicker than paper-thin. You will need six slices if each slice is roughly the same size as a chicken breast. Buy more or fewer slices as necessary.

ONE-POT LENTIL CHICKEN

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a non-stick wide, shallow pan, add bacon and fry briskly until lightly coloured, then lift on to a plate. Add the chicken and fry on each side until lightly brown. Set aside with the bacon. Tip onion and garlic into the pan and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the flour and tomato purée, then stir over a low heat for 2-3 minutes. Add the wine, stock, lentils and thyme. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Stir in the mushrooms. Add the bacon and chicken, pushing them under the liquid. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until lentils are tender and the chicken cooked. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat the oil in a non-stick wide, shallow pan, add bacon and fry briskly until lightly coloured, then lift on to a plate. Add the chicken and fry on each side until lightly brown. Set aside with the bacon. Tip onion and garlic into the pan and cook for 5 minutes. Stir in the flour and tomato purée, then stir over a low heat for 2-3 minutes. Add the wine, stock, lentils and thyme. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Stir in the mushrooms. Add the bacon and chicken, pushing them under the liquid. Cover and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until lentils are tender and the chicken cooked. Season with salt and pepper.

MOROCCAN-STYLE CHICKEN WITH LENTILS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F Rub 1 tbsp olive oil into the chicken thighs. Mix the garlic, cumin, coriander, salt, pepper and paprika together, then rub all over the chicken thighs on both sides.
• Heat a large flameproof casserole, add the chicken thighs and cook over a medium heat for 5 mins until golden on both sides.
• You might need to do this in 2 batches, depending on the size of the casserole. Set the chicken aside. Turn down the heat, add the remaining oil and fry the onion for 5 mins until softened.
• Stir in the rest of the ingredients, apart from the mint and bring to the boil. Place the chicken thighs on top and pour in any juices. Cover and cook for 1½ hrs, until the meat is tender and the sauce thickened. Season to taste.
• Can be cooled and frozen at this stage for up to 1 month.
• Defrost thoroughly in the fridge, then gently warm through. Scatter with fresh mint leaves and serve with couscous or rice.

CHICKEN VALDOSTANA

Steps:

• Dredge the chicken breasts in flour.
• Place the butter in a heated pan.
• Once it starts to foam you will want to add the chicken breasts.
• Sauté each side for 4-5 minutes.
• Place a slice of prosciutto on each chicken breast.
• Top each piece with a slice of fontina cheese.
• Pour wine into pan, cover and simmer for approximately 4-5 minutes.
• Before serving you can pour he remaining sauce on top of each chicken breast.