Quick Chicken Dinner

By Lori Powell
For One or Two Bites, a blog for singles and couples

As we enter the holiday season, remember to pause, take a break, and cook yourself up a delicious but simple and quick dinner at home.

The recipe below is one that you would be proud to serve for company as well. It’s not a new way to cook the chicken but a great way to dress it up for the holidays with a quick grape pan sauce.

Grapes are extremely versatile as they can be eaten out of hand, fresh or frozen, and can easily be made sweet or savory or a bit of both. Here they are given a quick cook to bring out their jam-like quality to add a sweet note to our sauce.

The jewel color alone says holiday. The garlic, the anise note of the tarragon and the acidity of the wine only enhance the grapes further. If tarragon is not your herb of choice, then simply substitute rosemary.

This sauce would be great paired with turkey leftovers, roast pork, lamb or duck.

To get the recipe and shopping list on your smartphone (iPhone, BlackBerry, Android device) or PC, click here.

Chicken Breasts with a Pan Grape Shallot Sauce
Serves 2

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, about 3/4 pound total
1/4 teaspoon salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
2-1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided
1/2 cup finely chopped shallot
1 garlic clove, minced
1 cup halved seedless red or green grapes
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1/2 cup fruity white wine, such as Pinot Grigio
1/2 cup low sodium chicken broth or stock
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon plus more for garnish

1. Pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper. Heat oil in a medium heavy skillet over moderately high heat and cook chicken, smooth side down. until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to moderate and flip chicken over. Cook until golden brown on underside and cooked through, about 7 to 9 minutes more. Transfer to platter and keep warm, covered.
2. Melt 1-1/2 tablespoons of the butter in skillet over moderate heat and cook shallot, stirring, until softened, about 3 minutes. Add garlic and grapes and cook, stirring, until grapes start to break down, about 3 minutes. Stir in flour and cook for 1 minute. Add wine and simmer, stirring, until reduced by half. Stir in broth and tarragon and simmer until slightly thickened. Turn off heat and swirl in remaining 1 tablespoon butter.
3. Arrange chicken on serving plates and pour sauce over. Garnish with fresh tarragon.

Serve over rice or garlic mashed potatoes with some cooked green beans or broccolini.

Special Fork is a recipe website for your smartphone and PC that solves the daily dinnertime dilemma: what to cook now! Our bloggers blog Monday through Friday to give you cooking inspiration. Check out our recipe database for quick ideas that take no more than 30 minutes of prep time. Follow us on Facebook , Twitter, Pinterest, and YouTube.

Related posts:

1. Quick Fix Dinner
2. A Quick Dinner for One
3. Souped up Canned Chicken Noodle
4. Chicken Chopped Salad
5. Mediterranean Roast Chicken Thighs