Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta

March 29, 2016 | | | | |
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3.8 from 4 votes

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one-skillet-chicken-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-fetaAs I may have mentioned once or twice before, I watch a truly impressive amount of television.

In fact, after my rather surprising keg-standing abilities and limbo skills, my comprehensive TV knowledge is probably my best party trick. Want to talk about The People vs. OJ Simpson? Cool. I’m up to date. Same goes for any Shonda Rhimes show (including season infinity of Grey’s Anatomy) and Chicago Fire/PD/Med. Netflix and Hulu originals? I’ve given most of them at least a three episode shot at hooking me, and I’d love to discuss my your thoughts on anything from Narcos (gots to be ready for those subtitles) to Fuller House (disaster). Looking for something new to binge? Tell me your interests, and I’ll give you a personalized shortlist! I’m like a human version of Netflix’s “Suggestions For You.” And proud of it.

Honestly, if I didn’t already have a sweet job making sassy desk lunches and helping Logan stay under a deuce, I’d definitely pursue a career in TV development. Potentially with a side gig writing episode recaps. (Remember Vulture’s Gossip Girl recaps? GOLD.)

one-skillet-chicken-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-feta-2By some miracle, my television habit rarely affects my productivity or stress levels. I capitalize on the fact that I can play episodes on my computer while I recipe test, as well as during bath time, and I usually get in a post-dinner episode with my roommate. Then there’s Sunday night—that’s when I really crush. Overall, I maintain a manageable viewing schedule, and my work/life/television balance is solid.

However, every once in a while, I’ll stumble across a never-before-seen, multi-season show, and the aforementioned “balance” goes to hell in a handbasket faster than you can say “Tim Riggins.” Things get weird, and after the great Friday Night Lights hibernation of 2012, I vowed to avoid such potential rabbit holes in the future. For the sake of my sanity and my social life, I would “just say no” to potentially addictive series with more than two seasons.

Then, a few weeks ago, I watched the first episode of The West Wing.

Big mistake. Huge.

one-skillet-chicken-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-feta-3I watched the series premiere on a whim. I figured I was safe since political dramas aren’t typically my thing, and I couldn’t possibly see Bradley Whitford (aka Josh Lyman) as anyone other than the bad guy in Billy Madison. I was wrong. Dear God, I WAS WRONG. And now I’m obsessed, and I can’t stop watching, and while I’m trying to be cool and limit my West Wing consumption, it’s a constant struggle. The scary thing is…

There are seven seasons! And I still have 4.8 seasons to watch!!! (And if Josh and Donna don’t eventually get together, I swear I will break my TV.)

Don’t worry, I haven’t gone full crazy (yet), but I have maximized West Wing time by minimizing evening kitchen time. I’m all about the quick and dirty dinner right now, and that’s where this one-skillet Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta comes in.

one-skillet-chicken-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-feta-4This incredibly easy and flavorful meal comes from my friend Andie Mitchell’s new cookbook Eating in the Middle (released today!!), and it’s a serious winner. Tender garlic and oregano-laced chicken with punchy sun-dried tomatoes, creamy feta, and sweet basil is such a simple combo, yet it delivers surprisingly complex, in-your-face flavor. Plus, it’s light, bright, and perfect for the warmer temps coming our way. The best part? The whole thing comes together in about 20 minutes with next to no cleanup.

Even if your life is not currently ruled by an all-consuming TV series, we all need more quick and delicious meals like this in our repertoires these days. Less time slaving over a hot stove means more time for spring strolls and rosé. Priorities!

one-skillet-chicken-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-feta-5On the off chance you haven’t heard of Andie Mitchell, she’s the author of the New York Times’ best-selling memoir It Was Me All Along (chronicling her transformative 135-pound weight loss), and now she’s produced this unbelievably beautiful cookbook! Eating in the Middle is an ode to moderation, full of amazing everyday recipes like this simple chicken dish, as well as more indulgent, special occasion meals and treats (Meatloaf Burgers with Bacon, Pepper Jack and Frizzled Onions! Peanut Butter Mousse Pie with Marshmallow Whipped Cream!). In Andie’s words, “It’s the testament of a life well-lived, with plenty of real, whole foods and some life-changing Chocolate Hazelnut Bread Pudding thrown in there, too.“

I love this book so much because on top of its delicious food and down-to-earth eating philosophy, it just oozes Andie. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know this powerhouse woman over the past year, and she is an absolute delight. Genuine, warm, and funny as shit, Andie has a passion for food and life that’s infectious, and she is so present on every page of this book—especially in the five heartwarming and inspiring personal essays on life, love and food that will have you laughing, crying, and running to your kitchen. I’d go on, but I’m afraid I already border on creepy fangirl, and I’ve rambled enough for today.

one-skillet-chicken-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-feta-7To sum up, watch The West Wing get Andie’s book and make this chicken. She recommends keeping life simple and serving it over whole wheat couscous, which cooks in 10 minutes. I did exactly that and added some baby arugula for extra greenery, but quinoa, brown rice pasta, and even cauliflower rice would also be great. (FYI, leftovers are bomb stuffed in a warm whole-grain pita.)

Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta (Serves 4)

one-skillet-chicken-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-feta-step-6Ingredients:
½ an 8-ounce jar sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil
1 tablespoon olive oil from the sun-dried tomato jar
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
2½ teaspoons dried oregano
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)
1 packed cup baby arugula (optional)
¼ cup fresh basil, torn or sliced

Preparing your Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta:

-Remove the sun-dried tomatoes from the olive oil and place them between two layers of paper towels. Press the tomatoes gently between the towels to get rid of excess oil. Chop the tomatoes and briefly set aside.

one-skillet-chicken-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-feta-step-1-Slice your chicken breasts crosswise into thin strips (approximately ½” thick).

one-skillet-chicken-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-feta-step-2-Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil from the sun-dried tomato jar in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. (Be careful, people—garlic burns QUICKLY. So make sure you’re stirring the whole time, and have your sliced chicken handy. If you notice the garlic browning as soon as you add it to the pan, lower the heat slightly.) Immediately add the chicken to the pan, along with the salt, pepper and oregano. Cook for about 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned.

one-skillet-chicken-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-feta-step-3-Add the sun-dried tomatoes and the feta, stirring to combine, and cook for 1 minute, just to warm the cheese and tomatoes through.

one-skillet-chicken-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-feta-step-4-Stir in the arugula if using, and cook for 1 minute until slightly wilted.

one-skillet-chicken-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-feta-step-5-Divide the chicken among plates, garnish with fresh basil, and serve immediately.

one-skillet-chicken-with-sun-dried-tomatoes-and-feta-6

Chicken with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta

Author - Serena Wolf
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • ½ an 8-ounce jar sun-dried tomatoes packed in olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil from the sun-dried tomato jar
  • 4 garlic cloves minced
  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  • teaspoons dried oregano
  • 4 ounces feta cheese crumbled (about 1 cup)
  • 1 packed cup baby arugula optional
  • ¼ cup fresh basil torn or sliced

Instructions

  • Remove the sun-dried tomatoes from the olive oil and place them between two layers of paper towels. Press the tomatoes gently between the towels to get rid of excess oil. Chop the tomatoes and briefly set aside.
  • Slice your chicken breasts crosswise into thin strips (approximately ½” thick).
  • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil from the sun-dried tomato jar in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Immediately add the chicken to the pan, along with the salt, pepper and oregano. Cook for about 10 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned.
  • Add the sun-dried tomatoes and the feta, stirring to combine, and cook for 1 minute, just to warm the cheese and tomatoes through. Stir in the arugula if using, and cook for 1 minute until slightly wilted.
  • Divide the chicken among plates, garnish with fresh basil, and serve immediately.

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18 Comments

  1. jane on January 4, 2017 at 6:39 pm

    another winner! so so delicious. New years resolution to cook new recipes and get out of the food rut!

    • Serena Wolf on January 5, 2017 at 2:38 pm

      YESSS! Sending you all my best creative culinary vibes for 2017!

  2. Jenn @ My Fabuless Life on April 5, 2016 at 4:21 pm

    West Wing is one of my favorite shows of all time! I just started re-watching it (I was a nerd in high school and college and watched the original airings ;p). If you haven’t watched The Newsroom yet, put it on your list next. Same writer and it’s AMAZING! Can’t wait to try this recipe too! Yum!

    • Serena Wolf on April 6, 2016 at 5:19 pm

      I LOVED The Newsroom!!! (And I’m so sad it’s done.) I hope The WW is every bit as magical the second time around :).

  3. Andie Mitchell on April 4, 2016 at 11:23 am

    I seriously did a spit take at this: “Then there’s Sunday night—that’s when I really crush.”
    Never change, OK?
    I don’t even know where to start with this!!
    THANK YOU! This whole post just proves how right I was to fall in love with you at first sight and corner you at that dinner party last year. It’s affirming. As cliche and corny as this is, you are truly one of a kind in the best way–warm, kind, funny, and just gorgeous through and through. Thank you so much for this! I am so grateful!

    XOXO Andie

    • Serena_Wolf on April 5, 2016 at 10:01 am

      Hahaha. Andie, all I can say to the above compliments (which were the best way to start my day) is a big, fat DITTO. The love is obviously mutual, and I’m so happy I could spread a little bit of your/this book’s magic. It is beautiful!! xoxo

  4. Lynn @ The Actor's Diet on April 2, 2016 at 3:22 pm

    Finding a good TV show to binge watch is so important to me! I’ve never watched The West Wing!

    • Serena_Wolf on April 4, 2016 at 10:20 am

      It is SO important. You must start watching West Wing, ASAP–you will love. Such good writing and acting!

  5. mimi rippee on March 31, 2016 at 10:24 am

    I LOVE all of the ingredients in this dish! Especially the feta!

    • Serena_Wolf on March 31, 2016 at 5:19 pm

      God bless feta!!

  6. Serena_Wolf on March 30, 2016 at 7:54 pm

    AH! Love to hear that, Rachel–so glad this was a success! (And excellent game time use of nutritional yeast.)

  7. Leila on March 30, 2016 at 1:45 pm

    As I was reading this, I couldn’t wait to comment telling you to start West Wing for your next multi-season binge. And then you beat me to it! You are in for a treat. I discovered it last year during the Boston snowpocalypse and it was the best.

    Although prepare yourself for major withdrawal once it’s over. The good news is that a West Wing Weekly podcast came out last week. Enjoy! #TeamJoshandDonna

    • Serena_Wolf on March 30, 2016 at 7:57 pm

      I’m already mentally preparing for when WW draws to its inevitable close. I think it may be my favorite show of all time? (However, I tend to say that about every show mid-binge, so don’t hold me to it…) Gracias for the heads up on the podcast!! #JoshandDonna4eva

  8. J Kirk on March 29, 2016 at 4:35 pm

    I watch more TV than anyone I know, so glad to meet you! WEST WING is on my agenda for this summer. Last summer I binge-watched all (about 93) episodes of DEXTER in 3 weeks!

    Still having a hard time reading your pale gray font!

    • Serena_Wolf on March 29, 2016 at 4:59 pm

      AH! Makes me so happy to have another TV addict here. I’m very excited for your West Wing adventure. I did Dexter back in the day, but I never finished!! (Shameful, I know.)

      p.s. So sorry about the font! It’s built into my custom blog design, and it’s proved more difficult to change than I thought, but I promise I’m working on it!

  9. Dixya Bhattarai RD on March 29, 2016 at 2:12 pm

    i am not an expert on netflix but im slowly making my way up there. i binged on this series on LOVE over the weekend..and im upto date on Greys too!

    i have been wanting to use up sun dried tomatoes and this sounds like a lovely way to do it.

    send me some of your recommendation for netflix!

    • Serena_Wolf on March 29, 2016 at 5:01 pm

      Girrrrl, I don’t even know where to start. Did you ever watch season 1 or Orange is The New Black? (I found the following seasons disappointing, but the first was great.) Narcos is great if you’re into thrillers and don’t mind occasional subtitles and I like Master of None and Kimmy Schmidt for quick laughs!! xox

3.75 from 4 votes (4 ratings without comment)

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