Cilantro Chicken with Tomatoes

 

My Cilantro Chicken with Tomatoes was created on the fly. Funny how, whether it is for grilling, Saturday night dinners, guests or plain indecisiveness, chicken is a great economical option to fall back on. Yesterday was such an occasion.  In a hurry, had some options, but I had chicken breasts in the refrigerator staring back at me.  Almost shouting, pick us, pick us! I didn’t go for the traditional, instead, I would say I winged it with some traditional Portuguese elements of flavor.  Served it with some steamed spinach, drizzled with olive oil, garlic and vinegar and I was done.  So here is my Cilantro Chicken with Tomatoes creation. Hope you like it.

Let me know what yummy dishes  you are “clucking” up with your chickens.

Serves 4

• 4 boneless chicken breasts, butterflied
• Fresh ground pepper to taste
• Coarse kosher, salt to taste
• 1 cup all-purpose flour, as needed
• 1/3  cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped scallions
• 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh cilantro, divided
• 4 ounces, linguica or chouriço sausage, sliced crosswise into 1/8 inch rounds (optional)
• 1 1/2 cups peeled, seeded, fresh tomato, cut into roughly 1-2-inch pieces
• 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
• 1/4  cup white wine

1. Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Lightly coat the chicken in the flour, shaking off excess.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it is hot but not smoking. Brown the chicken for about 3 minutes each side, until medium golden, turning only once. Transfer to a plate.
3. To the drippings, add the  scallions, one half of the cilantro, the sausage slices.  Cook for 1 minute over medium heat until the sausage slices take on some color.  Add the tomatoes, garlic and paprika.  Bring to a simmer, and cook for just 1 minute.  Pour in the white wine, stir and return to a simmer.
4. Return the chicken to the pan, nestling the pieces into the sauce.  Cover tightly, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer 20 more minutes, until the chicken is cooked through. Transfer everything to a serving dish and garnish with remaining cilantro.