HONEY BREAST OF CHICKEN WITH ORANGE AND TOMATILLO-HABANERO SALSA

Honey Breast of Chicken with Orange and Tomatillo-Habanero Salsa image

Provided by Food Network

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 21

Ingredients

4 boneless chicken breast halves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
1 teaspoon chopped fresh oregano leaves
1 pinch chopped fresh lavender, optional
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh sage leaves
Salt and fresh ground pepper
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour, for dusting
1 teaspoon olive oil
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
Tomatillo-Habanero Salsa, recipe follows
1 habanero, stemmed and minced
1 scallion, chopped
1 onion, chopped
4 tomatillos, chopped
1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano leaves
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Salt

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Wash the chicken breasts. Keep the skin on until after the chicken is cooked, as it keeps the breasts moist. Place an oven proof saute pan over a medium high burner. Season the chicken breasts with the herbs, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle the flour on a plate or tin and dredge the breasts in flour. Set aside until the pan is hot. Add the olive oil to a hot saute pan and place the breasts skin side down to sear in the juices. Cook 3 to 4 minutes or until the skin side is a little golden. Turn the breasts over and place in the preheated oven to finish the cooking, about 12 to 15 minutes. You may need to periodically turn the breast over to ensure even color. This is the time to make the Tomatillo Salsa. Set it aside so you can serve it at room temperature. Cover and refrigerate the unused portion. Test the chicken with a knife to see if it is completely cooked through. If the juice that flow from the meat near the bone is perfectly clear the chicken is ready. If not, put it back in the oven until the juices are clear. When the breasts are ready, remove from the hot saute pan. Place the pan over a burner on medium heat. Add the orange juice and honey and cook, simmering and stirring 2 minutes, to thicken. Stir in the mustard and the thyme and remove the pan from the heat and set aside. Remove the skin from the breasts, if you're watching the tummy or ticker. Place 2 ounces of the Tomatillo sauce in the center of the 4 warmed plates. Arrange the breasts on top of the sauce in each plate. Drizzle the hot orange mustard sauce equally over the breasts and garnish with the herb sprigs. Serve with Saffron rice and fresh steamed corn.
Place all of the ingredients in a food processor and pulse until chunky. Season to taste and set aside until ready to use.