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chicken puttanesca

Chicken Puttanesca - A Bold and Zesty Chicken Dinner Idea!

Chicken puttanesca is bold, savory, and packed with flavor—this zesty dish makes dinner exciting and super simple to make.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Appetizer or Main Course
Cuisine American / Italian-American
Servings 4
Calories 397 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 28-ounce can whole peeled tomatoes, with juices
  • 4 anchovy fillets coarsely chopped (optional)
  • 1 cup pitted Kalamata or other black olives coarsely chopped
  • ¼ cup capers
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper adjust to taste
  • 3 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
  • 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts (about 3 pounds)
  • ½ teaspoon salt or more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper or more to taste
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • Extra sprigs of fresh oregano for garnish
  • Crusty bread to serve (optional)

Instructions
 

Prepare the Tomato Mixture:

  • In a bowl, crush the canned tomatoes with your hands or a spoon until you have uneven 1-inch pieces. Mix in the anchovies, olives, capers, crushed red pepper, and 2 tablespoons of the chopped oregano. Set aside.

Sear the Chicken:

  • Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil until hot. Add the chicken and cook without disturbing for 3 minutes, or until browned. Turn and cook the other side for 3 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a plate.

Make the Sauce:

  • In the same skillet over medium heat, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the chopped garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the tomato mixture carefully (it may splatter) and cook for 1 minute until the splattering subsides. Stir well, reduce the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.

Combine Chicken and Sauce:

  • Return the chicken breasts and any accumulated juices to the skillet. Spoon some sauce over the top. Cover the pan and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165°F (74°C).

Serve:

  • Serve the chicken directly from the skillet or transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle the remaining 1 tablespoon of chopped oregano over the top and garnish with oregano sprigs. Serve with crusty bread if desired.
Keyword chicken puttanesca, Italian chicken, one-pan dinner, weeknight meal, Mediterranean, low-carb, bold flavors