Pollo alla pizzaiola

Ingredienti

• 2 large boneless and skinless chicken breasts (approximately 1 pound 5 ounces/600 grams )
• 4 tablespoons all purpose flour ( for dusting chicken)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic (or two small cloves of garlic)
• 2 cups tomato puree
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 10 basil leaves (or as much as you like)
• Salt and pepper (to taste)
• 7 ounces (200 grams) mozzarella cheese

Preparazione

1. 1

   Cut each chicken breast horizontally to make 4 or 5 cutlets in total. Pound lightly with a meat mallet to thin and tenderize. Peel and chop the garlic finely. Thinly slice or chop the mozzarella. Set aside.

2. 2

   Place the flour on a dinner plate and season with a big pinch of salt and a good grinding of black pepper. Coat the chicken breast with flour dusting off excess.

3. 3

   Heat 1/2 of the extra virgin olive oil in a large skillet or frying pan over medium heat.

4. 4

   Add the chicken breasts to the heated oil and fry on each side until just a little browned. It’ll be about 2 minutes on each side.

5. 5

   Remove the chicken to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.

6. 6

   Reduce the heat and add the remaining extra virgin olive oil and chopped garlic to the same skillet or pan that the chicken was cooked in. Cook until the garlic is becoming lightly golden and fragrant. Don’t let it brown.

7. 7

   Add the tomato puree, oregano, torn basil leaves, salt and pepper. Stir well. If the tomato puree is thick add 1/4 cup water to thin.

8. 8

   Bring the pizzaiola sauce to a simmer. Stir well, scraping the bottom of the skillet to remove any caramelized bits.

9. 9

   Reduce the heat to low and add the chicken breasts to the sauce. Let the sauce cover the chicken. Cover with a lid and simmer gently for 5 minutes.

10. 10

    Remove the lid. Turn the chicken over in the sauce and arrange some sliced or chopped mozzarella over each piece of chicken.

11. 11

    Put the lid back on and continue to simmer gently for another 5 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

12. 12

    Serve hot.