Chicken Agrodolce (an Italian Sweet and Sour Chicken)

This is such a unique Italian chicken dish. Chicken breasts are briefly sauteed, then simmered in a sauce of honey, balsamic vinegar, wine, orange and lemon juice. Toss in a few toasted pignoli, and you've got a quick and delicious dinner with risotto or cappellini.

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Serves: 3

Ingredients

• 3  boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1⁄4 cup flour
• 3  tablespoons olive oil
• 3  cloves garlic
• 3  bay leaves
• 6  allspice berries
• 4  tablespoons honey
• 4  tablespoons  balsamic vinegar
• 1⁄3 cup dry white wine
• 1⁄2 cup  orange juice
• 4  tablespoons lemon juice
•  salt and pepper (about a tsp. each)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3  tablespoons  toasted pignolis (pine nuts)

Directions

1. In a large plastic bag, combine flour and chicken breasts, toss to coat.
2. In a large skillet, saute floured chicken breasts in olive oil with the whole garlic, bay leaves and allspice berries until chicken is browned.
3. Remove chicken to a plate.
4. To the skillet, add honey, vinegar and wine; cook to reduce slightly, about 10 minutes on medium-high heat.
5. Return chicken to skillet, add orange and lemon juices, salt and pepper, and cook about another 20 minutes or until chicken is done and sauce is reduced slightly.
6. Remove garlic, bay leaves and allspice berries from sauce.
7. Add pignoli and heat through, another 5 minutes or so.
8. Delicious with angel hair pasta or a nice risotto.