Source: Simply Tuscan by Pino Luongo (adapted from)
Makes 2 servings.
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Tips: Adjust proportions to your taste.
Chicken Balsamic
Ingredients
Preparation
2 chicken breast halves, skin removed
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, more or less
For the sauce:
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
4 tablespoons very good aged balsamic vinegar, see note
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 fresh lemon, rind only, see directions
1/3 cup golden or black raisins,
1/4 cup pine nuts or almond slivers
Preheat oven to 200 F degrees and keep a platter warm to keep the cooked breast warm while making the sauce.
1. Place raisins in a small bowl of warm water to plump, about 30 minutes before preparing sauce. Drain and set aside.
2. Using a sharp knife, strip the peel from the lemon careful not to include too much of the inner with section. Cut the peel into about 2 to 3 inch long very thin strips. Set aside.
3. Dissolve salt into balsamic vinegar.
4. In a heavy skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the butter. Season breast with salt and black pepper to taste. When butter stops foaming, add chicken breast and cook at medium heat until half done. Turn breast and continue cooking until almost done. Transfer to prepared warm platter and keep warm while making the sauce.
5. Without cleaning the skillet, using high heat, add 2 tablespoons butter, when foam subsides, quickly add pine nuts or almond slicers to lightly toast. Do not allow butter to burn, if necessary, lower heat or lift skillets to control temperature. Add lemon peel, few seconds later add raisins and balsamic vinegar. With a heat resistant spatula or whisk, scrape pan. Heat for few minutes to reduce. For extra richness add 1 more tablespoon butter.
6. Place chicken breast into individual serving plates, spoon the sauce over breasts.
Breast may be served on top of flavored mash potatoes such as garlic, rosemary or spinach.
NOTE: Use authentic Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale di Modena. When only imitations are available, that will do.
