Chicken with Herbed Cherry Tomato Sauce

Love, love, loved this dish. It tasted fantastic with the fresh herbs and cherry tomatoes. It felt restaurant quality to me. The chicken was tender and delicious and the sauce was the perfect complement. The tomatoes had great flavor, and the fresh brightness of the lemon zest was such a great finish.

Serve over Parmesan Basil Potatoes Puree.

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

• 2½ Tbsp butter
• zest of 1 lemon
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• 2 tsp fresh oregano, minced
• 2 Tbsp fresh basil, minced
• ½ tsp paprika
• ¼ tsp salt, plus more for dredging
• ¼ tsp black pepper, plus more for dredging
• 2 chicken breasts, pounded to an even thickness*
• 3-4 Tbsp flour
• 2 cups cherry tomatoes

INSTRUCTIONS
In a small bowl or a food processor, combine butter, lemon zest, garlic powder, oregano, basil, paprika, salt, and pepper. Pulse until well mixed.

On a plate, combine flour and a pinch of salt and pepper. Dredge chicken breasts in the flour quickly (you just want a very thin coating).

Heat half of the herb butter mixture in a large pan over medium heat. When the butter is melted, add chicken breasts to the pan. Cook chicken over medium heat, 5-7 minutes on the first side, and an additional 4-5 minutes on the second side, or till cooked through. Remove chicken from the pan and set on a plate, covered with foil.

Add remaining herb butter and cherry tomatoes to the pan and cook over medium heat until the tomatoes begin to burst and soften, about 5 minutes. You can help break up the tomatoes with a spoon. Taste tomato sauce for seasonings and add additional salt and pepper to taste.

Slice chicken breasts and serve in strips with tomato sauce. I paired the chicken with parmesan basil potato puree.

NOTES
I pounded these to an even thickness, so that the chicken cooks evenly, rather than having dried out thin parts and under-done thick parts. If you've never pounded chicken breasts before, I put the chicken between layers of plastic wrap or waxed paper and bang away with a rolling pin. It works great for me.

Source: One Lovely Life