Creamy Chicken Arugula Delight
Indulge in this elegant Creamy Chicken Arugula Delight, a recipe perfect for a romantic dinner for two. Juicy boneless chicken breasts are succulent and kissed with a rich, creamy white wine sauce, bursting with flavor from shallots, garlic, and fresh parsley. Served atop a bed of sautéed arugula, this dish is as visually stunning as it is delicious. Quick to prepare and impressive in taste, it's a perfect 30-minute meal for a special occasion or a cozy weeknight dinner.
2
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 (trimmed and pounded to even thickness)
salt
to taste (for seasoning)
black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
flour
for dredging (all-purpose flour)
olive oil
1 tablespoon (for cooking)
butter
4 tablespoons (divided)
shallot
1 (minced)
garlic
1 clove (minced)
dry white wine
1 cup (for sauce)
whipping cream
1/2 cup (for sauce)
parsley
1 tablespoon (chopped, for garnish)
arugula
1 bunch (washed and trimmed)
Instructions
1
Begin by seasoning the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Lightly dredge each piece in flour, shaking off any excess to ensure a delicate coating.
2
In a heavy skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. When hot, add the chicken and cook for approximately 5 minutes on each side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate, cover it loosely with foil, and set aside to keep warm.
3
In the same skillet, reduce the heat slightly and melt 2 tablespoons of butter. Add the minced shallots and garlic, sautéing until the shallots become translucent and fragrant.
4
Pour in the dry white wine and increase the heat to medium-high. Allow the mixture to boil vigorously until it reduces by half, which should take about 3 minutes. Then, stir in the whipping cream and let it boil until the sauce thickens and reduces by half, stirring frequently, which will take around another 3 minutes.
5
Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the fresh chopped parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste. Add the previously cooked chicken back into the sauce, along with any juices that have accumulated. Toss gently to thoroughly coat the chicken in the creamy sauce.
6
Meanwhile, in a separate large skillet, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter over medium heat. Add the arugula and sauté just until wilted, roughly 2-3 minutes, seasoning to taste with salt and pepper.
7
To serve, arrange the sautéed arugula on a platter, placing the chicken on top, and generously spoon the rich sauce over the dish. Enjoy your delightful meal!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Creamy Chicken Arugula Delight?
Creamy Chicken Arugula Delight is an elegant dish featuring juicy boneless chicken breasts in a rich white wine and cream sauce, served over a bed of sautéed arugula.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is specifically designed to provide 2 servings, making it perfect for a romantic dinner.
How long does it take to prepare this meal?
This is a quick 30-minute meal, suitable for both special occasions and cozy weeknight dinners.
What type of chicken should I use?
The recipe calls for 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts that have been trimmed and pounded to an even thickness.
How should I season the chicken?
The chicken should be seasoned generously with salt and black pepper before cooking.
Why do I need to dredge the chicken in flour?
Lightly dredging the chicken in flour before cooking helps ensure a delicate coating and assists in the browning process.
How much olive oil is used?
One tablespoon of olive oil is used to heat the skillet before cooking the chicken.
How long should I cook the chicken breasts?
Cook the chicken for approximately 5 minutes on each side over medium heat until golden brown and cooked through.
How much butter is required for the recipe?
A total of 4 tablespoons of butter is required, which is used in divided portions during the cooking process.
What aromatics are used in the white wine sauce?
The sauce uses one minced shallot and one minced clove of garlic to provide a fragrant flavor base.
What type of wine is best for the sauce?
The recipe recommends using 1 cup of dry white wine to create the sauce reduction.
How much should I reduce the wine?
You should allow the wine mixture to boil vigorously over medium-high heat until it reduces by half, taking about 3 minutes.
What kind of cream is added to the sauce?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of whipping cream to create the rich, creamy texture of the sauce.
How long should the cream boil in the sauce?
The whipping cream should boil until the sauce thickens and reduces by half, which takes approximately 3 minutes.
What fresh herb is used for seasoning and garnish?
One tablespoon of chopped fresh parsley is stirred into the sauce and used as a garnish.
How do I prepare the arugula?
The arugula should be washed and trimmed before being sautéed with butter, salt, and pepper.
How long does it take to sauté the arugula?
Sauté the arugula for roughly 2-3 minutes over medium heat until it is just wilted.
How do I assemble the final dish?
Arrange the sautéed arugula on a platter, place the chicken on top, and generously spoon the rich sauce over the dish.
Is this dish suitable for a romantic occasion?
Yes, it is described as an elegant recipe perfect for a romantic dinner for two due to its presentation and flavor.
Can I use any other type of oil?
The recipe specifies olive oil for its flavor and cooking properties when searing the chicken.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients used in this recipe, including seasonings like salt and pepper.
Should I keep the chicken warm while making the sauce?
Yes, once cooked, transfer the chicken to a plate and cover it loosely with foil to keep it warm.
What do I do with the juices from the rested chicken?
When adding the chicken back into the sauce, include any juices that have accumulated on the plate for extra flavor.
How is the butter divided in the instructions?
Two tablespoons are used to sauté the shallots and garlic, while the remaining two tablespoons are used to sauté the arugula.
What is the primary flavor profile of the sauce?
The sauce is rich and creamy with a savory depth from dry white wine, shallots, and garlic.
Does the recipe include nutritional information?
No, specific caloric, fat, or carbohydrate counts are not provided in this recipe data.
Is the flour used for the sauce or the chicken?
The flour is used specifically for dredging the chicken breasts before they are fried in the skillet.
Can I substitute the white wine?
The recipe specifies dry white wine for the sauce reduction, which provides a critical acidic balance to the heavy cream.
What is the heat setting for reducing the sauce?
The heat should be increased to medium-high to allow the wine and cream to boil and reduce effectively.
How should the chicken be prepared before seasoning?
The chicken should be trimmed of excess fat and pounded to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking.