Chicken Breasts With Pomegranate Sauce

A wonderful blend of flavors, this is a delicious entrée for family dinners or entertaining. I like to serve it with a simple couscous that is tossed with some pomegranate seeds.

Yield: 4 servings

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon olive oil

1tablespoon butter

Salt and pepper to taste

4 boneless, skin-on chicken breasts; see cook’s notes

1 medium onion, peeled and chopped

1⁄2 cup canned, diced tomatoes, with about 2 tablespoons juice

2 cups pomegranate seeds (2 large pomegranates), divided use

1 cup chicken broth

2 tablespoons minced, fresh flat-leaf parsley, divided use

Cook’s notes: I prefer to leave the skin on when cooking the boned chicken breasts. They come out juicier and more flavorful. If desired, remove skin before eating.

PROCEDURE

1. In a large, deep skillet or Dutch oven, heat

butter and olive oil. Shake pan to mix butter and olive oil to prevent burning. Add chicken breasts, skin-down. Season with salt and pepper. Brown on both sides on medium-high heat, about 8 minutes.

2. Remove chicken. Drain off all but about 1 tablespoon of fat. Add onion and cook about 5minutes or until transparent and slightly browned, stirring occasionally. Return chicken (skin up) and add tomatoes. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes on medium-low heat or until chicken is thoroughly cooked (cooking times vary depending on size of chicken breasts). Remove just the chicken, place on warm plate and cover with foil.

3. Add chicken broth, 1 1⁄2 cups pomegranate seeds and 1 tablespoon parsley. Boil on high heat, uncovered, scraping any brown bits sticking to skillet, until thickened, about 7-9 minutes. Place sauce in strainer over a pan and shake strainer or push with wooden spoon to get all juice out; discard contents of strainer. Heat sauce.

4. If desired, cut chicken breasts on a slant into 1 1⁄2-inch slices and fan out on the plate. Top with sauce and garnish with 1 tablespoon minced parsley and remaining 1⁄2 cup pomegranate seeds. If desired, serve with couscous tossed with pomegranate seeds.