Thursday, December 6, 2007

Apricot-Herb Chicken

This recipe needs some work. It has a good base, but the final product is disappointingly bland. I still think it is worth working with, but I'm not sure what to add to fix it. It needs a much stronger punch of flavor. The sauce is a bit runny, so maybe a cornstarch slurry would tighten it up a bit.


3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3 pounds chicken breasts and boneless thighs, cut into large chunks
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/4 cup aged balsamic vinegar
2 cups chicken stock
20 to 24 dried apricots, chopped
5 to 6 sprigs thyme
A generous handful fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped chives
1 lemon, 2 teaspoons zest and the juice



In a large skillet with high sides, heat the oil, 3 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper liberally. When oil ripples, add chicken and brown it on both sides, 7 to 8 minutes total. Add balsamic vinegar and stir 30 seconds, add stock, apricots and thyme and reduce heat to medium-low to low. Place a lid on the pan and simmer 10 minutes. Take lid off, stir in the parsley, chives, lemon zest and juice and turn off heat. Let stand a couple of minutes, remove the thyme sprigs and serve.


--Adapted from Rachel Ray

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