Sundried tomato and chicken skillet are a gourmet ingredient known for their intense flavor and ability to enhance a variety of dishes. They are made by drying ripe tomatoes in the sun, which concentrates their flavors and preserves them. The drying process reduces the fruit’s original water content, leaving a chewier and more flavor-concentrated version of the tomato. In the culinary world, sundried tomatoes can be found packed in oil, or dry, and are often used in Mediterranean cuisine.
Adding chicken to a sundried tomato skillet combines the lean protein of chicken with the rich, umami and slightly tangy taste of sundried tomatoes. The skillet method of cooking involves sautéing or searing the chicken in a pan on the stove top, which can provide an appealing golden-brown crust on the chicken while keeping it moist inside. The addition of sundried tomatoes usually occurs after the chicken has been browned; they can either be chopped, sliced, or added whole to the skillet to cook with the chicken.
Common accompaniments to this dish might include herbs like basil or thyme, garlic for aromatic depth, and often a splash of white wine or chicken broth to deglaze the pan and make a sauce. Ingredients like olives, capers, or spinach are also sometimes incorporated to give the dish more complexity and to balance the strong taste of the tomatoes.
The sundried tomato and chicken skillet is typical of a one-pan meal with a harmony of flavors that can be tailored to one’s taste. Due to the oil that sundried tomatoes are often packed in, they can also contribute to the richness of the dish’s sauce.
Sundried Tomato and Chicken Skillet Recipe
Sundried Tomato and Chicken Skillet
Equipment
- 1 large skillet
Ingredients
- 4 medium chicken breast boneless skinles sliced
- 2 tbsp ghe
- 3/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes sliced
- 1 small small onion diced
- to taste sea salt
- to taste black pepper ground
- 4 cups spinach chopped
- 2 cups zucchini cooked “noodles”
Instructions
- In a large skillet over medium heat, heat ghee. To the skillet, add the chicken, tomatoes,onion and salt, and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes, until chicken, is cooked through. To the chicken, add the spinach and the zucchini noodles. Reduce heat to low and cook zoodles for 5 to 10 minutes, until the spinach wilts and the chicken is cooked through. Serve warm.
Tips for making Sundried Tomato and Chicken Skillet
Cooking Tips
Sundried tomatoes offer a concentrated flavor and robustness to dishes, particularly when paired with chicken in a skillet. When creating a sundried tomato and chicken skillet meal, it’s essential to consider ingredients that complement the intense flavor of the tomatoes and support the texture of the chicken.
To start, selecting the right cut of chicken is pertinent. For a skillet meal, boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts are ideal due to their quick cooking time and ability to absorb flavors. It’s important to season the chicken well with salt, pepper, and any additional herbs or spices that may enhance the dish, such as Italian seasoning or garlic powder.
When browning the chicken, a skillet with good heat distribution, such as cast iron, is beneficial. The goal is to achieve a golden-brown sear on the chicken pieces, which not only adds flavor through the Maillard reaction but also sets the stage for deglazing, which will incorporate those flavors into the final sauce.
After removing the chicken, you can then sauté aromatics like onions, garlic, and bell pepper in the same skillet. The sundried tomatoes can be introduced following the aromatics. If the sundried tomatoes are oil-packed, their oil can be used to enrich the dish. Dried sundried tomatoes can be rehydrated in warm water or wine beforehand to soften their texture.
The addition of a deglazing liquid, such as chicken broth, white wine, or even a splash of cream can create a flavorful sauce. When the sauce is simmering, the chicken can be returned to the skillet to finish cooking, which allows the flavors to meld together.
Accents like capers, olives, or a sprinkling of fresh basil or parsley can further enhance the Mediterranean character of the dish. A sundried tomato and chicken skillet can be served over pasta, rice, or alongside a simple green salad for a balanced meal.
Serving suggestions
- Serve over al dente pasta with a sprinkle of fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese.
- Accompany with a side of garlic-infused mashed potatoes and roasted Mediterranean vegetables.
- Present with a crusty baguette and a salad of mixed greens, dressed with balsamic vinaigrette.
- Pair with a creamy polenta topped with freshly grated pecorino cheese and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
Top 5 FAQs about Sundried Tomato and Chicken Skillet
- What type of chicken works best for a sundried tomato and chicken skillet? For a skillet meal, it’s recommended to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs or breasts due to their quick cooking time and favorable texture after cooking. These cuts are also good at absorbing the rich flavors from the sundried tomatoes and other ingredients added to the skillet.
- Can you use dried sundried tomatoes instead of those packed in oil? Yes, dried sundried tomatoes can be used. If they are not packed in oil, they should be rehydrated in warm water or wine before cooking to soften their texture and bring out their flavor.
- What are some good accompaniments to a sundried tomato and chicken skillet? Common complements include herbs like basil or thyme, garlic, and aromatic vegetables like onions and peppers. For a deglazing liquid, white wine, chicken broth, or even a splash of cream can be used to make a flavorful sauce. Additions like olives, capers, or leafy greens such as spinach can enhance the dish further.
- How can you prevent the chicken from drying out when making a sundried tomato and chicken skillet? To keep the chicken moist, avoid overcooking by searing it just enough to brown it and then let it finish cooking gently in the sauce. It’s also helpful to cover the skillet after adding the chicken back in, which traps steam and helps keep it juicy.
- Is it necessary to season the chicken before adding it to the skillet, and if so, with what? Yes, seasoning the chicken before cooking is important. Use salt, pepper, and additional spices that complement the dish, such as Italian seasoning, garlic powder, or a mix of dried herbs. Marinating the chicken beforehand can also infuse more flavor into the meat.
Sundried tomato and chicken skillet is a dish that typically showcases the flavors of Mediterranean cuisine. It usually combines the umami and savory taste of sundried tomatoes with the hearty texture of chicken. The sundried tomatoes, which are ripe tomatoes that have lost most of their water content from drying in the sun, offer a sweet yet tangy flavor that can greatly intensify the overall taste of the dish. The drying process also concentrates the tomatoes’ nutrients, making them a rich source of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber.
Chicken, a versatile protein, provides a substantial base for the dish, complementing the robust flavors of the sundried tomatoes. The depth of flavor can be further enhanced by the addition of herbs such as basil, oregano, and thyme, and often garlic, onions, and bell peppers are included to round out the skillet. A liquid component, such as chicken broth or white wine, is also usually incorporated to deglaze the pan and meld all the savory elements together, sometimes finishing with a touch of cream or parmesan cheese for richness.