Chicken Picata

The other night we celebrated Christmas Part I with a very close friend who is like family. The three of us shared a meal, opened gifts and watched The Grinch (Jim Carey version). The question for me was what can I make with the food I have on hand:chicken, homemade mac and cheese, mozzarella, and breadcrumbs. I am a huge fan of Chicken Picata and found this recipe. I changed it somewhat, partially by accident and partially because I don't ever read the recipe until I am right in the middle of, realizing only then I am without certain ingredients. Mom to the rescue...breadcrumbs can be substituted for flour, who knew? Our meal of a tomato salad (baby tomatoes sliced in half, mozzarella chopped into squares, basil, balsamic vinegar - allow time to set up outside the fridge), homemade mac and cheese, Chicken Picata and Stilton and cranberry cheese and crackers was amazing.

So my adapted recipe is below, I am sure the one above would have been just as amazing.

Easy Chicken Picata

You need:

2 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless

capers

butter

lemon/lemon juice

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)

breadcrumbs

ziplock bag

chicken broth

salt

pepper

1. Pound chicken with a mallet (2 breasts, skinless, boneless)

2. cut into strips

3. throw chicken in a ziplock with breadcrumbs (Italian style)

4. brown the chicken in a pan with EVOO (about 10min)

5. Place chicken on a plate

6. begin making the sauce: add 2TBS Lemon juice to the pan and 1 cup chicken broth

7. throw in 2 TBS capers and 3 TBS butter

8. salt and pepper to taste

9. simmer until syrupy - its key to use the same pan so the flavor and sauce forms correctly

10. throw the chicken back into the pan and continue to simmer or place on low until ready to serve

11. ENJOY :)

Total Cook Time: about 30min

Prep Time:5-10min