Herbed Chicken & Fennel Skillet Delight
This Herbed Chicken & Fennel Skillet Delight beautifully combines the tender juiciness of chicken breasts with the aromatic flavors of fennel, garlic, and rosemary. In every bite, you'll experience a medley of textures and tastes that are both comforting and invigorating. This dish, inspired by the original recipe in Food and Wine, embraces a healthier twist, making it perfect for those mindful of their dietary choices. Serve it alongside steamed carrots, creamy polenta, or fluffy mashed potatoes for a delightful meal the whole family will love.
4
Servings
N/A
Calories
9
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive Oil
4 teaspoons (separated)
Fennel Bulb
1 large (cut into 1/2-inch slices (about 1 1/4 pounds, use 2 smaller heads if need be))
Dried or Fresh Rosemary
2 teaspoons or 2 tablespoons (dried; or crumbled fresh rosemary)
Salt
1/4 teaspoon
Fat Free Chicken Broth
2/3 cup
Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
4 ((about 1 1/3 pounds in all))
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon
Garlic Cloves
2 (minced)
Flat Leaf Parsley
2 tablespoons (chopped)
Instructions
1
In a large nonstick frying pan, heat 2 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil over moderate high heat. Add the fennel slices and half of the rosemary. Cook, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes until the fennel is golden brown and nearly tender.
2
Pour in the chicken broth, bringing it to a boil. Once boiling, cover the pan, reduce the heat and let it simmer for approximately 3 minutes until the fennel is fully tender. Remove the fennel and the cooking liquid from the pan and set aside.
3
In the same pan, heat the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil over moderate heat. While the oil heats, pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness for uniform cooking. Season both sides with salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
4
Place the chicken in the pan along with the remaining teaspoon of rosemary. Cook for about 4 minutes until the underside is browned. Flip the chicken and cook for an additional 3 minutes until nearly cooked through.
5
Add the minced garlic to the pan, stirring for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Return the fennel and its cooking liquid to the skillet. Sprinkle in the remaining 1/8 teaspoon of black pepper and bring the mixture to a simmer.
6
Carefully nestle the fennel on top of the chicken, cover the pan, and allow it to simmer on very low heat for another 3 minutes.
7
Garnish with chopped parsley before serving. Enjoy your Herbed Chicken & Fennel Skillet Delight!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Herbed Chicken & Fennel Skillet Delight?
It is a healthy skillet dish combining chicken breasts, fennel, garlic, and rosemary, inspired by a recipe from Food and Wine.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe is designed to make 4 servings.
What are the main ingredients in this dish?
The main ingredients include chicken breasts, fennel bulb, olive oil, rosemary, chicken broth, garlic, and flat leaf parsley.
How should the fennel bulb be prepared?
The fennel should be cut into 1/2-inch slices, totaling about 1 1/4 pounds.
Can I use fresh rosemary instead of dried?
Yes, you can use either 2 teaspoons of dried rosemary or 2 tablespoons of crumbled fresh rosemary.
What type of chicken is recommended?
The recipe calls for 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts, weighing about 1 1/3 pounds in total.
How do I ensure the chicken cooks uniformly?
You should pound the chicken breasts to an even thickness before seasoning and cooking.
What is the first step in cooking the fennel?
Heat 2 1/2 teaspoons of olive oil and cook the fennel with half the rosemary for about 10 minutes until golden brown.
How long should the fennel simmer in broth?
Simmer the fennel in the chicken broth for approximately 3 minutes until fully tender.
When do I add the garlic to the skillet?
Add the minced garlic after the chicken has been flipped and cooked for an additional 3 minutes, stirring for 30 seconds until fragrant.
What type of broth should I use?
The recipe suggests using fat-free chicken broth.
How much olive oil is used in total?
A total of 4 teaspoons of olive oil is used, split into 2 1/2 teaspoons for the fennel and 1 1/2 teaspoons for the chicken.
What is the total seasoning for the chicken?
The chicken is seasoned with salt and a total of 3/8 teaspoon of black pepper throughout the process.
How long does the chicken cook on each side initially?
Cook the chicken for 4 minutes on the first side and 3 minutes on the second side.
What is the final step before serving?
Garnish the dish with chopped flat-leaf parsley.
What are some recommended side dishes?
You can serve it with steamed carrots, creamy polenta, or fluffy mashed potatoes.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is described as a healthier twist on a classic recipe and is tagged as a healthy recipe and WW friendly.
How do I combine the fennel and chicken at the end?
Nestle the fennel on top of the chicken in the skillet before the final 3-minute simmer.
What heat setting is used for the chicken?
The chicken should be cooked over moderate heat.
Can I use a nonstick pan?
Yes, a large nonstick frying pan is recommended for this recipe.
What flavor profile does the fennel add?
Fennel provides an aromatic flavor that complements the garlic and rosemary.
Is this dish suitable for families?
Yes, it is described as a delightful meal the whole family will love.
What kind of parsley should I buy?
Flat-leaf parsley is recommended for garnishing.
What are the tags associated with this recipe?
Tags include chicken breast, healthy recipe, fennel, rosemary, skillet, easy dinner, low points, and comfort food.
How much garlic is needed?
You will need 2 minced garlic cloves.
Do I need to cover the pan during cooking?
Yes, the pan should be covered while simmering the fennel in broth and during the final 3 minutes of cooking.
What should I do if my fennel bulbs are small?
If you don't have one large bulb, you can use 2 smaller heads to reach the required amount.
How much black pepper is used in total?
The recipe uses 1/4 teaspoon for seasoning the chicken and an additional 1/8 teaspoon added later.
What is the heat setting for the final simmer?
The final simmer with the fennel nestled on the chicken should be done on very low heat.
Is this an easy dinner to prepare?
Yes, it is tagged as an easy dinner and involves straightforward skillet preparation.