Pan Roasted Chicken with Cherry-Spinach Farro

By: Executive Chef Dan Merola

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Ingredients – Farro:

  • Red bell pepper, julienned
  • Zucchini, julienned
  • 1 large carrot, julienned
  • 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 (4-ounce) flounder filet
  • Juice of one lemon
  • 2 tablespoon compound butter (recipe follows)

Directions – Farro:

  1. Combine farro, 3 cups water and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt in a medium lidded pot.
  2. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to a low simmer, cover and cook 50 minutes or as per package directions.
  3. Drain and pour into a bowl.
  4. Meanwhile, whisk together 2 tablespoons of the balsamic vinegar, the honey, 1/8 teaspoon of the salt and the pepper in a medium bowl.
  5. In a slow stream, whisk in olive oil until well combined.
  6. Pour over hot, drained farro.
  7. Mix well and cover bowl with plastic wrap.
  8. Refrigerate at least 2 hours or overnight.
  9. Cherries, almonds, mint, remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar.
  10. Sautee spinach and add to mixture.
  11. Take entire mixture and warm on baking sheet for 10 minutes on 300 degree F or to preferred heat (can also be eaten cold, warm, or room temp)

Ingredients: Chicken

  • 2 whole airline chicken breasts or boneless skin-on chicken breasts (6 to 8 ounces each)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil
  • 1 cup homemade or store-bought low-sodium chicken stock
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons powdered gelatin
  • Small shallot, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh rosemary leaves
  • 1 (1 1/2-inch) piece of peeled zest plus 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh juice from 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 teaspoons soy sauce

Directions: Chicken

  1. Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 450°F.
  2. Pat chicken breasts dry and season generously with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat oil in an oven-safe medium stainless steel skillet over high heat until just starting to smoke.
  4. Carefully lay chicken breasts into hot skillet skin side down.
  5. Cook without moving until skin is deep golden brown and very crisp, about 6 minutes.
  6. Carefully flip chicken breasts and transfer skillet to the oven.
  7. While chicken roasts, add stock to a liquid measuring cup and sprinkle gelatin over the top. Set aside.
  8. Cook chicken until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken breasts registers 150°F, about 7 to 12 minutes.
  9. Remove skillet from oven and transfer chicken to a cutting board.
  10. Set aside to rest while you make the pan sauce.
  11. Pour off all but 1 tablespoon of fat from the skillet and place over high heat.
  12. Add shallots and rosemary and cook, stirring, until softened and fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  13. Add stock/gelatin mixture and lemon zest and cook, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon.
  14. Continue cooking on high heat until sauce is reduced by about two-thirds, 5 to 8 minutes.
  15. Stir in butter, soy sauce, and lemon juice and cook at a hard boil until emulsified, about 30 seconds.
  16. Remove from heat and set aside.
  17. Slice chicken breasts into three pieces on a sharp bias and transfer to individual serving plates.
  18. Taste sauce and season with salt and pepper.
  19. Spoon sauce over the chicken and serve immediately.

Enjoy!