CHICKEN BREASTS WITH FENNEL SAUCE

Chicken Breasts With Fennel Sauce image

Provided by Pierre Franey

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, about 1 1/4 pounds
Salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
1 head fennel, about 3/4 pound
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons finely chopped shallots
1/4 cup dry white wine
1/4 cup fresh or canned chicken broth
1 bay leaf
2 sprigs fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried
Dash Tabasco sauce
2 tablespoons butter
4 fennel leaves, finely chopped

Steps:

If the chicken breast halves are connected, separate and trim membrane or fat. Salt and pepper.
Trim the fennel and save 4 green leaves for chopping, leaving only the white bulb at the bottom. Cut the bulb into 1/4-inch cubes. There should be about 1 1/2 cups.
Heat the oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the shallots.
Turn the chicken breasts and scatter the fennel around them. Continue cooking, shaking the skillet and redistributing the fennel, until it is cooked evenly. Cook about 3 minutes. Add the wine, broth, bay leaf, thyme and Tabasco sauce. Cover tightly and cook over medium heat for 10 minutes. Turn the pieces occasionally.
Transfer the chicken to a warm platter, cover with foil and keep warm.
With a slotted spoon, remove about 1/2 cup of the fennel cubes. Remove the bay leaf and thyme sprig. Pour the remaining fennel mixture into a blender or food processor. Add the butter and blend to a very fine puree. Pour the mixture into a saucepan, season with salt and pepper as needed. Add any liquid that may have accumulated around the chicken. Add the reserved fennel cubes and the chopped fennel leaves. Bring to a simmer and spoon the sauce over the chicken breasts. Serve immediately.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 322, UnsaturatedFat 9 grams, Carbohydrate 7 grams, Fat 16 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 33 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 604 milligrams, Sugar 3 grams, TransFat 0 grams