Description
Succulent Italian-style skillet chicken breast marries tender mushrooms and juicy tomatoes in a rustic Mediterranean dance of flavors. Herbs and garlic elevate this simple dish, promising a quick and delectable meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 large chicken cutlets, boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into ¼-inch thin cutlets
- 8 ounces (226 grams) Baby Bella or white mushrooms, cleaned, trimmed, and sliced
- 14 ounces (397 grams) grape tomatoes, halved
Seasoning and Coating:
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ½ cup (60 grams) all-purpose flour
- Extra virgin olive oil
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh garlic
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice (juice of ½ lemon)
- ¾ cup (180 milliliters) chicken broth
- Handful baby spinach (optional)
Instructions
- Thoroughly pat chicken cutlets dry, then generously season both sides with half the oregano, salt, and pepper. Delicately coat the cutlets with flour, gently shaking off any excess powder.
- Warm olive oil in a spacious cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully sear chicken cutlets until golden brown on each side, approximately 3 minutes per side. Transfer browned cutlets to a separate plate.
- In the same skillet, introduce additional olive oil if needed. Toss sliced mushrooms and saute briefly until they release their aromatic essence. Incorporate halved tomatoes, minced garlic, remaining oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Sprinkle a touch of flour over the vegetable mixture, stirring continuously to prevent burning. Allow ingredients to meld and caramelize for roughly 3 minutes.
- Deglaze the skillet by adding fresh lemon juice and chicken broth. Bring the liquid to a vigorous simmer, creating a fragrant sauce.
- Gently reintroduce the seared chicken cutlets into the bubbling sauce. Initially cook on high heat, then reduce temperature to medium-low. Cover and allow chicken to finish cooking, ensuring internal temperature reaches 165°F.
- Optional: Just before serving, delicately fold in baby spinach leaves for an extra layer of freshness and color. Serve immediately alongside orzo or crusty Italian bread.
Notes
- Perfectly thin chicken cutlets ensure even cooking and tender meat, preventing dryness and creating a restaurant-quality texture.
- Coating chicken with flour before browning creates a delicate golden crust that locks in moisture and adds rich flavor complexity.
- Sautéing mushrooms and tomatoes before adding liquid develops deep, caramelized flavors that elevate the entire dish’s taste profile.
- Using fresh lemon juice brightens the sauce, cutting through richness and adding a zesty, vibrant Mediterranean touch.
- Internal temperature is crucial for food safety; always check chicken reaches 165°F to guarantee perfectly cooked, juicy meat.
- Optional baby spinach adds a fresh, nutritious element that introduces color and extra nutrients to the final presentation.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 295
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 690 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 31 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg