Chicken Puttanesca

By Ashley Jean May 3, 2023 29 mins read 98 Views

This chicken puttanesca is made by pan-searing the chicken until it turns golden brown, then braising until it becomes fall-off-the bone tender. In just 40 minutes, the tomato sauce is bursting with Mediterranean flavors. This easy dinner recipe is perfect with homemade focaccia or crusty bread.

Photo credits: Mariam Hamdy

This hearty, gluten-free version of the Italian classic Pasta Puttanesca features a chicken puttanesca. This Italian classic is generously flavored with anchovies, capers and olives. It will make your weeknight meal a flavorful party! Puttanesca is perhaps the best example of how pantry meals can be transformed into truly delicious meals.

Anchovies with umami, olives with briny flavor, and capers in bright colors add a lot of color to a tomato base. The dish cooks the chicken thighs in a sauce until they are dripping with flavor.

Not a fan of "fishy"? Do not worry! Anchovies melt and become complex and salty when cooked. This flavor is similar to a meaty, briny taste that goes well with other ingredients. I'm telling you, it works. You're gonna love it.

If I haven't convinced you, add just four anchovy filets to begin with. Over time you can increase the number of anchovy fillets to eight, as I'm sure you will be making it again and again!

Table of Contents

Ingredients for Chicken Puttanesca
How to cook Chicken Puttanesca
Crispy chicken skin is the secret to crispy chicken skin
What to serve with Chicken Puttanesca
What to eat? We have some ideas!
Try our Nocellara-Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil!
Recipe for Chicken Puttanesca

Ingredients in Chicken Puttanesca

It is almost entirely pantry items that go into a classic puttanesca. To have puttanesca at your fingertips, keep these pantry staples in stock.

Chicken I prefer to use skin-on, bone-in chicken drumsticks and thighs because they are juicy and flavorful. You can substitute chicken breast if you want a more lean cut. Start checking them after 15-20 minutes. Boneless and skinless breasts cook quicker.
Flavor makers: Salt and pepper. Italian seasoning and Oregano are used to perfume the dish. Red Pepper Flakes, Garlic (and lots of it), give the dish an extra kick. If you're not a fan of spicy food, leave out the red chili flakes.
Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice balances out all the briny flavors.
Briney Deliciousness: Anchovy and Olives and Capers provide the distinctive salty, tangy and sea-like flavor that is often described as a "briny". I do not recommend substituting these flavors. You can adjust the amount of anchovy to suit your taste (although I promise that they are packed with umami flavour and not fishy).
Extra virgin Olive Oil:Use an olive oil with a buttery, smooth texture that will not compete with the flavors in this dish. I use Nocellara, our Italian variety.
San Marzano tomato:San Marzano has a sweet, rich flavor which is balanced out by its natural acidity. They also retain their shape after cooking because of their meaty texture.
Parsley A large handful of finely chopped parsley stems and leaves adds a freshness that is welcome to this classic Italian dish.

How To Cook Chicken Puttanesca

In just one pan, chicken puttanesca delivers a lot of flavor. This recipe can be prepared in just a few simple steps.

Prepare:Mix 5 large cloves of garlic. Drain 3 tablespoons capers, and slice 1/2 cup kalamatas olives. Remove the pits if needed.
Seasoning the chicken: Use paper towels to dry the chicken thoroughly, then season it generously with black pepper and kosher salt. Do not forget to sprinkle some black pepper and kosher salt under the skin.
Sear chicken In a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat, add three tablespoons of oil. Add the chicken skin side down once the oil starts to shimmer. Cook the chicken until it is golden and crispy, approximately 5-8 minutes. Flip the chicken over and continue to cook until the other side is also golden brown, approximately 5 minutes.
Rest and season the chicken: Transfer to a large dish and sprinkle 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning. Over the chicken, squeeze one lemon. Set aside.
Begin the sauce: Place the skillet back on the stove and leave the chicken fat in it. Turn the heat down to medium. Add a splash or olive oil to the pan if it is too dry. Then add 4-8 fillets of anchovy. The anchovies should be cooked for about 2 minutes, while pushing them around in the pan and scraping off any brown bits. The anchovies will almost melt and break down into the oil. This will infuse it with umami flavors. The good stuff!
Finishing the sauce:Add minced garlic, and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. When the aroma of garlic is in the air, add 28 ounces whole peeled San Marzano tomato. Add 1/4 cup sliced kalamata and 1 1/2 teaspoons capers. Add 2 teaspoons dried oregano, and 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes if you are using them. Stir the ingredients together gently, and then let it simmer.
Cooking the chicken in sauce: Nestle back the chicken into the skillet, and spoon some sauce on top. Cover the skillet partially and simmer until chicken is cooked through to 165degF. It will take between 25 and 30 minutes, depending on the size of your chicken pieces. While the chicken is cooking, chop enough parsley stems and leaves to make 1/2 cup.
Serve:Top the remaining 1/4 olives with 1 1/2 tablespoons capers. Sprinkle with parsley before serving.

Crispy chicken skin: The secret to crispy skin

The skin on drumsticks and thighs of chicken is a particularly forgiving meat cut. They become more tender the longer they are cooked, unlike chicken breasts. You don't need to worry about bland, dry chicken anymore! You can make your chicken crispy by following these tips.

Pat the skin very dry. Moisture is the number one enemy of chicken skin. Dry the skin thoroughly before crisping it up.
Don't overcrowd. It's like ordering a drink in a bar. When it's not too crowded, it's much easier! If you have too many pieces of chicken in your pan, the temperature will drop and it's almost impossible to sear. Brown the chicken in batches if you have a small skillet.
Do not force the flip. You can use music or a podcast to help you wait for the chicken to cook until it is golden brown. Too soon, the skin can stick and tear. The skin will release from the pan as it crisps. You can tell it's done by the crisping of the skin.

What is the best way to serve chicken puttanesca

You can eat the chicken puttanesca as a meal, but it's best to have something else nearby to soak up the sauce. A crispy homemade Rosemary Focaccia that is hot from the oven makes a great treat. You can also try plain noodles with olive oil, or bread crusts.

Serve something modest as a side. Puttanesca is a strong flavor, so you don't want to compete with it. You'll have a free oven, so you can add some Roasted Canned Artichoke Hearts as an easy side dish. Serve with a salad that complements the saltiness of the sauce like Simple Lemony Arugula Salad With Avocado.

We have some ideas for you!

Chicken Puttanesca
Tirokafteri (Spicy Greek Feta Dip)
Spanish Tuna Empanadillas
Spaghetti Pie

All Mediterranean Recipes.

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Try our Nocellara-Italian Extra Virgin Olive Oil!

This EVOO was produced using cold-extracted Nocellara Olives that were hand-picked. This EVOO is high in polyphenols and has aromas of tomatoes, vegetables and spices with a mild bitter and spicy finish.

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Chicken Puttanesca

This one-pan recipe uses chicken that is first pan-seared to a golden brown, then braised with a puttanesca, a savory, salty and pungent sauce. Serve with crusty bread.

Course Entrance

Cuisine Italian

Preparation Time five minutes

Cook Time forty minutes

Total time 45 Minutes

Servings

Calories 470.8 Kcal

Suzy Kardsheh Author

Ingredients

3 lbs skin-on, bone-in chicken pieces I used 4 thighs & 4 drumsticks
Kosher Salt
Ground black pepper
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
Filets of anchovy
5 large garlic cloves, minced
1 (28 ounce can) whole peeled San Marzano tomato
1/2 cup pitted kalamata olives, sliced
3 tablespoons drained capers
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon red pepper flakes, optional
1/2 cup chopped parsley leaves, for garnish

Instructions

Dry the chicken with paper towels. Both sides of the chicken should be seasoned with black pepper and kosher salt. Rub salt and black pepper under the skin.
Add 3 tablespoons olive oil to a large, non-stick skillet over medium heat. When the oil starts to shimmer, place the chicken skin-side down in the pan. Cook the chicken until it is golden and crispy, approximately 5-8 minutes. Cook until the second side also turns golden brown, approximately 5 minutes.
Season the chicken and let it rest: Place the chicken on a large plate and sprinkle the Italian seasoning over the top. Pour the lemon over the chicken. Put it aside.
Start the sauce by turning the heat up to medium. Add a bit more olive oil if the pan is too dry. Add the anchovy files. Cook the anchovies for 2 minutes, moving them around the pan. They will melt into the oil, adding flavor.
Finish the sauce by adding the garlic. Cook until fragrant (about 30 seconds). Add the tomatoes, the half of olives, the half of capers and the dried oregano (if using) to the sauce. Bring the sauce up to a boil over medium heat.
Add the chicken to the sauce and cook it. Nestle the chicken into the sauce. Pour a little sauce on top of the chicken. Cover the chicken partially, with a lid/splatter guard or a lid. Cook the chicken until it is cooked through and tender. This will take about 25-30 mins, depending on the size of the pieces. The thickest part should be 165degF on a thermometer.
Serve : Garnish the remaining olives with capers, and serve.

Notes

To avoid crowding your pan, brown the meat in batches if you have a small skillet. This will crisp up the skin.
Allow the chicken to sit skin side down until the skin is golden brown and releases from the pan. It takes 5-8 minutes and is well worth the wait.
Browse our shop for quality Mediterranean ingredients such as olive oil, honey, jams, and spices.

Nutrition

Carbohydrates: 9.6g

The Mediterranean Dish first published Chicken Puttanesca.

By: Suzy Karadsheh
Title: Chicken Puttanesca
Sourced From: www.themediterraneandish.com/chicken-puttanesca/
Published Date: Wed, 03 May 2023 14:42:46 +0000

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Mediterranean Diet gluten-free possible?

Yes, the Mediterranean Diet can be adapted to be gluten-free. Whole-grain carbohydrates like wheat and barley can be replaced by gluten-free grains like millet or quinoa. As naturally gluten-free foods, fresh fruits such as melon, pear, beans, legumes or nuts should be included in the diet. Individuals with gluten intolerance to milk or dairy may benefit by choosing lactosefree products. Other ideas include making porridge for breakfast instead of oatmeal, baking salmon with potatoes, bean soup, or roasting vegetables with herbs.

Is it safe to drink milk on the Mediterranean Diet?

Yes, milk can be consumed on the Mediterranean diet. Low-fat yogurt and low-fat cheese are important components of the Mediterranean diet. They provide calcium and other essential nutrients. The nutritional benefits of milk are also worth considering. It should be enjoyed in moderation, with other beverages such as coffee or tea. You can also make your own smoothies or oatmeal with it. For sustainable farming practices to be promoted when buying milk, it is best to use organic varieties. Add milk to your breakfast dishes such as smoothie bowls and avocado toast to ensure you get essential vitamins, minerals, and a balanced start every day.

Can the Mediterranean Diet allow for vegetarians?

Yes, you can adapt the Mediterranean Diet to be vegetarian. This eating style can be followed by vegetarians who omit meats such as red meat, poultry, fish, and other animal proteins. They could choose various plant-based options for protein sources like legumes, nuts, and seeds, which are staples in the Mediterranean Diet. If necessary, healthy fats like olive oil and olives are added to help make up for the lack of protein. Alternate dairy sources, such as soy yogurt or tofu, can be used to supplement the diet. Other ideas include adding nuts and seeds to salads or bowls, mashing beans on toast, substituting ice cream for frozen banana slices, or serving hummus with vegetables throughout the day.

Statistics

Choose fat-free or 1% milk, yogurt, and cottage cheese. (my.clevelandclinic.org)
In one study, the healthiest eaters at age 50 had a nearly 90% lower risk of dementia than those with the least healthy diets. (heart.org)
1g sugar Benefits Rich in heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, these nuts may also favourably impact your gut microbiome (and thus improve digestive health) and lower LDL cholesterol, according to a small study that included 18 healthy adults. (everydayhealth.com)
One small study suggested that swapping one-half of your serving of a high-glycemic starch (like rice) with lentils helps lower the glycemic response by 20 percent. (everydayhealth.com)

External Links

How To

How to Incorporate Mediterranean-Inspired Foods into Your Daily Meals?

A Mediterranean diet can improve your quality of life and overall health. This eating pattern focuses on including healthy fats, whole grains, legumes, and fresh fruits and vegetables in daily meals. This can help you achieve better health such as better blood cholesterol, better glucose control, reduced risk of developing certain types or cancers, better cardiovascular health, enhanced cognitive function and better weight management. Incorporating Mediterranean-inspired foods into your diet can be done with ease by following several helpful tips:

Start swapping high-calorie snacks like chips for nutrient-dense vegetables such as hummus appetizers or other traditional greens or beans dishes.
Learn how spices and other ingredients can be used to enhance the variety of your diet.
Consider incorporating grains, legumes and high-fiber products that can improve your appetite after meals.
To get more nutrition, include moderate amounts yogurt, cheese, or milk throughout the day.
Instead of using traditional oils, use olive oil instead.
Finally, occasionally enjoy a red wine to complete the Mediterranean experience.

You can adopt Mediterranean eating habits with effort and time. This will allow you to enjoy your food while also gaining potential health benefits. Combined with regular averagely vigorous physical activity, one could see even more significant increases in short-term results along with long-term positive impacts on body composition and overall status/health benefits, including chronic disease prevention.