Pollo al Limone e Olive: A Step-by-Step Recipe Guide

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Pollo al Limone e Olive

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Course Main Course

Cuisine Italian

Equipment

• Equipment Needed: Skillet, measuring cups, cutting board, chef’s knife, serving platter

Ingredients

  

• Ingredients
• For the Chicken:
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• Juice and zest of 2 large lemons
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 cup green olives pitted and halved
• Fresh parsley chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

 

• Method
• Step 1: Prepare the Chicken
• Season the Chicken: Start by patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
• Sear the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts. Sear them for about 5-7 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.
• Step 2: Create the Sauce
• Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
• Add Lemon Juice and Broth: Pour in the lemon juice, zest, and chicken broth. Scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits (this adds flavor!).
• Incorporate the Olives: Add the halved olives to the skillet and stir to combine.
• Step 3: Combine and Cook
• Return the Chicken: Place the seared chicken back into the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over the top. Allow the dish to simmer for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
• Let Stand: Remove the skillet from the heat and let it stand for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps the chicken absorb the flavors.
• Step 4: Serve
• Plate the Dish: Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and drizzle with the sauce from the skillet. Garnish with chopped parsley.
• Enjoy! Serve warm, ideally with a side of pasta, rice, or a fresh green salad.
• Variations
• Herb Variations: Feel free to add fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary for an extra layer of flavor.
• Olive Choices: Swap green olives for kalamata olives for a different taste.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
• Vegetarian Option: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or hearty vegetables like eggplant and follow the same cooking method.

Pollo al Limone e Olive is a delightful Italian dish that brings the bright flavors of lemon and olives together with tender chicken. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special gathering. It’s simple to prepare, yet it feels elegant enough to impress your guests. From my own personal experience, the combination of zesty lemon and savory olives creates a wonderfully balanced flavor that pairs beautifully with a side of pasta or a fresh salad. Let me show you how I make this delicious dish.

Notes on What to Expect

When you make Pollo al Limone e Olive, you can expect tender, juicy chicken infused with zesty lemon flavor and briny olive notes. The sauce is bright and tangy, making it a perfect complement to the chicken and an excellent addition to pasta or rice.

Recipe Overview

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Time to Stand: 5 minutes
• Total Time: 55 minutes
• Ease of Cooking: Easy
• Servings: 4
• Calories per Serving: Approximately 320
• Cost of Ingredients: $15 (may vary by location)
• Cuisine: Italian
• Course: Main Course
• Equipment Needed: Skillet, measuring cups, cutting board, chef’s knife, serving platter
• Go here to buy the must-have equipment and ingredients for making a Savory  #Pollo al Limone e Olive  now.

Ingredients

• For the Chicken:
  • 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • Juice and zest of 2 large lemons
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 1 cup green olives, pitted and halved
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
  • Go here to buy the must-have equipment and ingredients for making a Savory  #Pollo al Limone e Olive  now.

Method

Step 1: Prepare the Chicken

1. Season the Chicken: Start by patting the chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt, pepper, and dried oregano.
2. Sear the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken breasts. Sear them for about 5-7 minutes on each side until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside.

Step 2: Create the Sauce

1. Sauté the Garlic: In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn it.
2. Add Lemon Juice and Broth: Pour in the lemon juice, zest, and chicken broth. Scrape the bottom of the skillet with a wooden spoon to release any browned bits (this adds flavor!).
3. Incorporate the Olives: Add the halved olives to the skillet and stir to combine.

Step 3: Combine and Cook

1. Return the Chicken: Place the seared chicken back into the skillet, spooning some of the sauce over the top. Allow the dish to simmer for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
2. Let Stand: Remove the skillet from the heat and let it stand for about 5 minutes before serving. This helps the chicken absorb the flavors.

Step 4: Serve

1. Plate the Dish: Transfer the chicken to a serving platter and drizzle with the sauce from the skillet. Garnish with chopped parsley.
2. Enjoy! Serve warm, ideally with a side of pasta, rice, or a fresh green salad.

Variations

• Herb Variations: Feel free to add fresh herbs such as thyme or rosemary for an extra layer of flavor.
• Olive Choices: Swap green olives for kalamata olives for a different taste.
• Spice It Up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat.
• Vegetarian Option: Substitute chicken with firm tofu or hearty vegetables like eggplant and follow the same cooking method.
• Go here to buy the must-have equipment and ingredients for making a Savory  #Pollo al Limone e Olive  now.

Tips

• Marinate for Extra Flavor: If you have time, marinating the chicken in lemon juice, olive oil, and oregano for a couple of hours or overnight can intensify the flavors.
• Check for Doneness: Use a meat thermometer to ensure the chicken has reached an internal temperature of 165°F (75°C).
• Meal Prep: This dish can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

Substitutions for Specific Dietary Needs

• Low-Sodium Option: Use low-sodium chicken broth and reduce added salt.
• Gluten-Free: Ensure all ingredients, especially the chicken broth, are gluten-free.
• Dairy-Free: This recipe is naturally dairy-free.

Nutritional Information Per Serving

• Calories: 320
• Protein: 36g
• Carbohydrates: 6g
• Fat: 16g
• Sodium: 480mg

Closing Thoughts

I hope this guide has made making Pollo al Limone e Olive seem a little less daunting. Have you tried it before? Please, be honest, and let me know in the comments below. I love to hear feedback from a real person like you, so please, leave your honest comment. Happy cooking!