Chicken Marengo Served With Polenta

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts
• kosher salt, to taste
• fresh ground black pepper, to taste
• garlic powder, to taste
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (evoo)
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and sliced
• 1 celery, finely chopped
• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1 cup dry wine or 1 cup sherry wine
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 cup fresh button mushrooms
• 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and chopped
• 3 parsley sprigs
• 1/4 cup fresh thyme leave
• 1 (11 ounce) package prepared polenta, cut into 16 slices

Recipe

• 1 rinse chicken breasts and gently pat dry. season with the salt, pepper and garlic powder.
• 2 heat a wide, heavy-bottomed saute pan over a medium-high flame. add the olive oil and heat for another minute.
• 3 gently place the chicken in the pan and cook 2-3 minutes on each side until the breasts are lightly browned. remove chicken from skillet and set aside. (keep warm.).
• 4 add butter to the saute pan and heat until it foams. add the onions and celery and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. next, add the chicken stock and wine; bring mixture to a boil.
• 5 return the chicken to the saute pan and add the tomatoes and mushrooms. cover and reduce heat. simmer 10 minutes or until chicken is tender.
• 6 meanwhile, warm the polenta according to the package directions.
• 7 once the juices run clear, and a thermometer inserted into the center of the chicken breasts registers 170°f, remove the chicken from the saute pan and arrange it on a warmed serving platter.
• 8 add the chopped olives, parsley and thyme to the pan and cook for another minute, then top the chicken with the sauce and serve immediately.
• 9 place 4 slices of polenta and 1 chicken breast on each plate. warm, crusty italian bread, a glass of your favorite chardonnay, and a crisp green salad served with a vinegertte dressing makes this italian chicken dish complete.
• 10 chef's tip: finish off your fabulous italian meal with traditional biscotti and a glass of vin santo. vin santo is a mildly sweet dessert wine with a bold, nutty taste.