The secret to a good cream sauce is always the same: not too much cream or it can be overpowering, masking the more delicate flavors. Here it contains a bountiful amount of mushrooms and is served over chicken breasts.
INGREDIENTS
2 5-ounce boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed and tenders removed (see Tip)
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 medium shallot, minced
1 cup thinly sliced shiitake mushroom caps
2 tablespoons dry vermouth, or dry white wine
1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives, or scallion greens
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 medium shallot, minced
1 cup thinly sliced shiitake mushroom caps
2 tablespoons dry vermouth, or dry white wine
1/4 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
2 tablespoons heavy cream
2 tablespoons minced fresh chives, or scallion greens
PREPARATION
Season chicken with pepper and salt on both sides.
Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat.
Add the chicken and cook, turning once or twice and adjusting the heat to prevent burning, until brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part registers 165°F, 12 to 16 minutes.
Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
Add shallot to the pan and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 2 minutes.
Pour in vermouth (or wine); simmer until almost evaporated, scraping up any browned bits, about 1 minute. Pour in broth and cook until reduced by half,
1 to 2 minutes. Stir in cream and chives (or scallions); return to a simmer.
Return the chicken to the pan, turn to coat with sauce and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
Transfer to a plate and tent with foil to keep warm.
Add shallot to the pan and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
Add mushrooms; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 2 minutes.
Pour in vermouth (or wine); simmer until almost evaporated, scraping up any browned bits, about 1 minute. Pour in broth and cook until reduced by half,
1 to 2 minutes. Stir in cream and chives (or scallions); return to a simmer.
Return the chicken to the pan, turn to coat with sauce and cook until heated through, about 1 minute.
TIPS & NOTES
Tip: It's difficult to find an individual chicken breast small enough for one portion.
Removing the thin strip of meat from the underside of a 5-ounce breast—the “tender”—removes about 1 ounce of meat and yields a perfect 4-ounce portion. Wrap and freeze the tenders and when you have gathered enough, use them in a stir-fry or for oven-baked chicken fingers.
NUTRITION
Per serving: 275 calories; 15 g fat ( 5 g sat , 7 g mono ); 84 mg cholesterol; 5 g carbohydrates; 25 g protein;1 g fiber; 373 mg sodium; 370 mg potassium.
Nutrition Bonus: Selenium (34% daily value).
Exchanges: 1 vegetable, 3 lean meat, 2 fat
