Chicken With Dried Tomatoes - Sautéed

My Simple Weeknight Chicken Delight

As a busy working mom, finding time to cook a delicious and healthy meal can feel like a Herculean task. Between juggling work deadlines, school runs, and after-school activities, the last thing I want is to spend hours in the kitchen. That’s why I’ve become a master of quick and easy recipes, and this sautéed chicken with dried tomatoes is a perfect example. It's a dish that tastes incredibly sophisticated, yet it takes less than 30 minutes to make from start to finish – a true lifesaver on a busy weeknight.

This recipe has a wonderful history. It’s adapted from a much-loved recipe I found in an old cookbook, "20 Minute Menus." The original recipe, from way back in 1989, called for caraway potatoes as a side, and had a wonderfully practical approach to meal planning – organizing ingredients into "pantry staples" and "fresh from the market" items. This organizational system always made shopping and planning so much easier. Over the years, my family and I have tweaked and adapted this original recipe, making it our own. We adjust it depending on what's fresh and in season, sometimes adding spinach, other times adjusting spices, and occasionally experimenting with different types of cheese. The beauty of this recipe lies in its adaptability.

The star ingredient, undoubtedly, is the sun-dried tomatoes. If you’re lucky enough to have a homegrown abundance of tomatoes, drying them yourself is incredibly rewarding. I use a food dehydrator for convenience and consistency, but the sun-dried varieties you can find in most supermarkets also work perfectly well. The rich, intense flavour they bring adds a burst of Mediterranean sunshine to this simple dish. The process of drying tomatoes intensifies their flavor in a way that fresh tomatoes simply can’t match. It’s a simple process that makes a world of difference.

The combination of succulent chicken, savory tapenade, and tangy feta cheese is a symphony of flavors. The sautéed onions provide a beautiful sweetness that balances the richness of the chicken and tomatoes. And a little sprinkle of Armenian red pepper adds a touch of unexpected warmth – but this is entirely optional, depending on your spice preference.

Beyond the Recipe: A Taste of Simplicity

This chicken dish is more than just a quick meal; it’s a testament to the joy of cooking with fresh, simple ingredients. It’s a reminder that a delicious meal doesn't have to be complicated or time-consuming. It’s a recipe that teaches us that less can truly be more – sometimes the most satisfying meals are the ones that come together effortlessly, leaving you with more time to enjoy the company of family and friends.

I encourage you to try this recipe, to make it your own, to adapt it based on your preferences and the ingredients you have on hand. Embrace the simplicity, the flexibility, and the delicious taste of this simple yet remarkable dish. Whether you serve it as a quick weeknight dinner or a casual gathering with friends, this sautéed chicken with dried tomatoes is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser.

Cooking is a Journey

Cooking, for me, is more than just preparing food; it's an expression of creativity, a way to connect with my family, and a chance to nourish my loved ones both physically and emotionally. This recipe exemplifies this perfectly. It's a dish I've grown with, adapting and refining it over the years, just like my family. Each time I make it, I relive memories of hectic evenings and joyous family dinners. And I know that for you, it too will become a dish filled with its own precious memories and comforting simplicity.

So go ahead, try this recipe. Let me know how it turns out! And perhaps, as you cook, you'll find a little bit of yourself in every delicious bite.

Step-by-step

• Wash and dry chicken and cut each breast half into strips.
• Chop the dried tomatoes. If they aren't softened or packed in olive oil, simmer them in a saucepan with 1 tbsp olive oil and 1 tbsp water.
• Heat oil in a skillet and brown chicken on both sides, add tapenade, pepper, salt.
• Slice onion or leek, add to chicken and sauté.
• Add tomatoes, olive oil and wine. Add oregano and more salt and pepper to taste. Add feta. Cover over low heat just until sauce has been heated through. Sprinkle with Armenian red pepper if you have any.