Basque-Style Chicken

Submitted by mmjj_d

"This is delicious! I serve this over rice or Israeli couscous. *Note: . You can substitute canned San Marzano tomatoes for fresh tomatoes. You can also use kalamata olives in place of nicoise olives."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 5mins
• Ingredients: 14
• Serves: 2

ingredients

• 2 chicken breasts (boneless, skinless about 7 ounces each)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• fresh ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (divided)
• 2 ounces pancetta, cut into 1/4 -inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons shallots (minced)
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1⁄2 cup white wine (Pinot Grigio)
• 1⁄2 cup chicken broth
• 1⁄8 teaspoon paprika, smokey hot
• 3 sprigs thyme
• 1⁄2 cup diced tomato, cut into 3/4 -inch dice
• 1⁄4 cup nicoise olive

directions

1. Place each chicken breast between two large pieces of plastic wrap. Using the flat side of a meat mallet or heavy skillet, pound each breast until it is uniformly about one-fourth-inch thick.
2. Season each.piece with one-fourth teaspoon salt and a pinch of pepper. Place each breast on top of a large piece of plastic wrap or wax paper.
3. In a large skillet, heat the butter and 1 tablespoons of the olive oil over medium-high heat until hot. Add the chicken, one piece at a time, and sauté until golden-brown, about 2 1/2 minutes on the first side and 30.seconds on the other. Remove the chicken to a plate. Set aside in a warm place.
4. Drain the excess fat from the pan and add the remaining tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add the pancetta and sauté until browned, about 2 minutes. Add the shallot and sauté for 1 minute, until tender,then add the garlic and sauté just until aromatic, a few seconds, being careful not to brown. Add the wine, stirring to scrape up the browned bits at the bottom of the pan.
5. Stir in the chicken broth, the paprika, thyme and tomatoes. Allow the sauce to come to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes so that the flavors develop. Stir in the olives.
6. Add the chicken back to the pan, spooning the sauce over it. Cook for 1 minute, then remove the chicken to a plate. Spoon the sauce evenly over each piece, and serve immediately.