Flattened Chicken Breasts Recipe 455

FLATTENED CHICKEN BREASTS RECIPE - (4.5/5)

Steps:

• Lift up the skin on the cut side of the chicken breasts and insert the garlic slices. Distribute them evenly under the skin, taking care not to break the skin. Rub the sage leaves between your hands to release their oils and insert 4 of the leaves evenly under the skin of both breasts with the garlic cloves. Pull the skin back over the breast as completely as possible. If the chicken has not been brined, salt and pepper liberally on both sides. Wrap tightly in plastic and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over high heat until hot. Add the olive oil and heat to just below smoking. Season the skin side of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and place skin-side down in the pan. Season the other side of the breasts. Turn the heat down to medium low and place another heavy pan on top of the breasts, so that they are pressed flat into the pan. If the second pan is not heavy, weight it with canned tomatoes or clean bricks. Make sure the weight is evenly distributed over all the breasts. They must cook evenly and at the same time. Cook until very brown and crisp, 12 to 15 minutes. Turn the breasts over and cook for 8 more minutes, or until cooked through. Use the weight system again if need to make sure they sit flat. Remove from the heat, let stand 5 minutes, then slice and serve, or cut each breast in half and serve.

FLATTENED PAN-ROASTED CHICKEN

Steps:

• To prep the chicken:
• On a work surface, place the chicken breast-side down with the neck of the chicken facing you. Using kitchen shears, cut along the length of the backbone on both sides and remove. Turn the chicken over, breast-side up. Open it on the counter and flatten the chicken as much as you can with your hands.
• In a large metal bowl, whisk together the sugar, salt, and hot water, until the sugar and salt are dissolved. Add the onion, peppercorns, tarragon, garlic, ice water, and wine. Stir well. Add the chicken to the brine. Place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Remove the chicken from the brine and dry well with paper towels. Set the chicken aside. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil to the hot skillet, and then place the chicken into the skillet skin-side down. Place another heavy pan on the chicken pressing it down firmly to get maximum skin contact with the hot skillet. Reduce the heat to medium and cook under the weight for 8 to 10 minutes. Once browned, remove the weights; turn the chicken skin-side up. Place the chicken in the oven until the meat is 160 degrees F, about 20 to 25 minutes. Let the chicken rest 10 minutes before serving.