Saturday, December 17, 2011

Dinner for Three? Braised Italian Chicken with Olives and Potatoes

Braised Italian Chicken
with Olives and Potatoes


This is the time of year when old friends drop by.  Often you feel like you should ask them to stay for dinner.   What do you do when you normally cook for two and all you've got on hand are two boneless chicken breast halves and four red potatoes? 

I like to have a few "go to" meals where you can feed three or four people from what seems like a little bit of food.   Make your dollars stretch with this great recipe.  It's chicken breast braised in Sweet Red Wine and Tomatoes, with chopped mixed olives and crispy potato slices added in at the end. 




Here's what you need and what you need to do:

For the Chicken:

2 plump Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Halves
1 tablespoon Chicken Seasoning for the Grill (Such as Weber Canadian)
Cooking Spray
1 tablespoon Grapeseed or Light Olive Oil
4 ounces frozen Seasoning Blend (chopped celery, onion and pepper)
1/4 cup Sweet Red Wine
1  15 ounce can Diced Tomato with Basil, Garlic and Oregano
1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
10-12 assorted Olives, pitted and chopped

For the Potatoes:

4 Red Potatoes, sliced
1/2 tablespoon Grapeseed Oil
1/2 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
1/2 tablespoon Chicken Seasoning for the Grill

Other:  Grated Parmesan and Romano Cheese; Torn Fresh Basil

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Season chicken breast with grill seasoning.  

Add cooking spray to pan.  Heat over high heat.  Add oil.   Sear both sides of the chicken until browned.  Remove to baking dish.

To the same pan, add the seasoning blend.  Coat with juices from the pan.

Deglaze with wine.   Scrape browned bits from the bottom of the pan.

Add tomatoes, Italian Seasoning and olives.  Stir well.  Pour mixture over chicken in baking pan.

Meanwhile, slice the potatoes.  Coat with oil, Italian Seasoning and grill seasoning.  Place potatoes in one layer on pan.   Bake along side chicken for approximately 40 minutes, until juices in chicken run clear. 

Remove chicken from pan and let rest.  Combine potatoes with sauce.  Bring to boil and reduce to simmer until sauce thickens to your liking.



Slice Chicken and serve with sauce and potatoes.  Top with grated cheese and fresh basil.




Try a glass of the sweet wine with the dish or one of my Sweet Wine Manhattans.   http://welcometojustforcooking.blogspot.com/2011/12/holiday-entertaining-tip-3-create.html

So good, and so easy.  You'll have plenty of time to spend with your friend.

Happy holidays!

5 comments:

easyfoodsmith said...

Delicious meal :)

Wine Club said...

Great work and great ideas to learn about some delicious recipes

janet@fromcupcakestocaviar said...

This sounds amazing. I love the combination of flavors here! Buzzed!

Jen at The Three Little Piglets said...

I would so love to be a guest popping by your house, You always make the most delicious looking meals!

Unknown said...

You all are so great. ;.))) Coming from all of you with your fantastic blogs this is truly a compliment! And you are welcome in my home at any time. As long as you don’t mind a lovable Golden Retriever wanting your every bit of attention, just call ahead so I can make sure the house is dusted and cleaned up of all his toys (spoiled), and I have plenty of wine in the chiller. ;>)