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Chicken Puttanesca

Chicken Puttanesca
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Chicken Puttanesca is a vibrant and effortless Mediterranean dish combining juicy chicken breasts with a zesty sauce made from olives, capers, garlic, anchovies, and tomatoes. Perfect for busy weeknights, this flavor-packed, healthy recipe comes together in under 30 minutes, offering a satisfying taste with minimal ingredients and versatile serving options.

Ingredients

Scale

Chicken

  • 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Sauce

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra if needed
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • 4 anchovy fillets
  • 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 cup pitted black olives, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons capers, drained
  • 1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes (fresh or canned)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Optional for Serving

  • Pasta (such as spaghetti or linguine)
  • Crusty bread

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Pat the chicken breasts dry and season lightly with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken breasts until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-7 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside to rest.
  2. Sauté Aromatics: In the same skillet, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Add minced garlic and anchovy fillets, sauté for about 2 minutes until fragrant and the anchovies dissolve into the oil, creating a savory base for the sauce.
  3. Add Olives, Capers, and Tomatoes: Stir in the chopped black olives and capers, allowing their flavors to mingle for a minute. Pour in the diced tomatoes along with crushed red pepper flakes, stirring to combine. Let the sauce simmer for about 10 minutes to thicken and develop robust flavors.
  4. Finish and Serve: Slice the cooked chicken and return it to the skillet. Toss gently in the sauce to warm through and soak up the bold flavors. Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top and serve immediately over pasta or with crusty bread.

Notes

  • Use quality canned tomatoes for a richer, sweeter sauce.
  • Do not skip anchovies; they melt into the dish and enhance umami without a fishy taste.
  • Pound chicken breasts to an even thickness for consistent cooking.
  • If serving with pasta, reserve some pasta cooking water to help the sauce adhere better.
  • Adjust salt carefully as olives and capers add natural saltiness.

Nutrition

Keywords: Chicken Puttanesca, Mediterranean chicken, easy chicken dinner, weeknight meal, healthy chicken recipe, olives, capers, anchovies, tomato sauce

Find it online: https://sophiespace.com/chicken-puttanesca/