Mediterranean Chicken With Plum Tomatoes And Polenta Recipes

BRAISED MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• Use a Dutch oven to heat oil.
• Season the chicken with the salt and pepper.
• Brown chicken on all sides in batches (about 8 minutes per batch).
• Drain the fat, but reserve 1 tablespoon and return the pot to heat.
• Cook garlic, tomatoes and oregano about 30 seconds.
• Add wine and scrape up the browned bits for 1 minute.
• Add broth and chicken to the pot and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
• Add the zucchini and season again with salt and pepper.
• Cover and simmer for an additional 15 minutes before stirring in lemon juice.
• Meanwhile, combine 4 1/2 cups of water, 1 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper in a large saucepan and bring to a boil. Slowly whisk in cornmeal. Reduce heat to medium-low and cook, whisking frequently for 20-25 minutes. Whisk in butter.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN WITH TOMATOES, KALAMATA AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
• Season the chicken with salt and pepper, then brown on both sides (about 3-4 minutes on each side) remove to a large platter, cover with foil to keep warm (I put my plate in a 200 degree oven to stay warm).
• To the same skillet, add in the mushrooms and saute until all of the liquid is absorbed (about 6-7 minutes).
• Add in onions, garlic and dried chili flakes (if using) to the mushrooms and saute for about 3-4 minutes.
• Add in the chicken broth; simmer for about 6 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed.
• Add in the Kalamata olives, plum tomatoes and capers, season with salt and pepper; bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for about 10 minutes or until the liquid is reduced by half.
• Add in butter and stir until melted.
• Mix in the small teardrop tomatoes; simmer for about 5 minutes (you can simmer a bit longer).
• Season again with salt and pepper.
• Spoon the mixture over the chicken.
• Sprinkle with fresh chopped parsley.

CHICKEN WITH TOMATO SAUCE AND POLENTA TRIANGLES

Steps:

• Skin the chicken pieces, reserving the wing tips and the skin for stock.
• Heat two tablespoons of the oil in a heavy casserole and brown the chicken pieces a few at a time. Remove them with a slotted spoon and place them in a bowl.
• Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Saute the onion, garlic and chilies until they become soft (about 10 minutes).
• Stir in the cayenne and cumin. Cook a minute, then add the tomatoes, chicken stock, salt and pepper along with the chicken pieces and their juices. Cover and simmer gently about 45 minutes, stirring from time to time, until the chicken is cooked and the sauce thickens. If sauce evaporates too fast, add a little water. Correct the seasoning and when ready to serve, sprinkle with coriander.
• While the chicken is cooking, make the polenta triangles. Preheat broiler. Cook the polenta in water according to directions on package (it will take about five minutes), adding salt to taste, and pour it out onto a flat surface (a large, flat baking tin will do). Smooth it out with a spoon and cool it. Cut the polenta into triangles and place them on a broiling sheet.
• Brush the polenta triangles with the olive oil and broil until the outside is browned and crisp but the inside soft and creamy (about 15 to 20 minutes). Do not turn over. Serve with the chicken, in a separate dish.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN STEW

Steps:

• Season the chicken with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken, and cook, turning occasionally, until golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
• Reduce the heat to medium-low; add the remaining teaspoon oil to the skillet. Add the garlic, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the chickpeas and 1 cup water. Bring to a boil; cook until the liquid is reduced by half, about 2 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes; cook over medium heat until starting to break down, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the olives, vinegar, and chicken along with any accumulated juices to the pan; toss until warmed through, about 1 minute. Stir in the parsley. Serve over the polenta.
• This recipe can also be made with 1 1/2 pounds peeled and deveined shrimp instead of chicken; replace the chick peas with cannellini beans.

ROAST CHICKEN BREAST WITH POLENTA AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
• Place about 5 slices of the polenta in an even layer on the bottom of the baking dish. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Place the chicken breasts on top of the polenta slices and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top each with the Italian seasoning and Parmesan. Arrange the garlic cloves and tomatoes around the chicken. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and drizzle with the remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil.
• Bake until the internal temperature registers 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 30 minutes. Garnish with Parmesan and olive oil to taste. Serve warm.