Sauteed Chicken Cutlets with Porcini Sauce
Serves 4. Published March 1, 2009. From Cook’s Illustrated.
For even more intense mushroom flavor, grind an additional half-ounce of dried porcini mushrooms in a spice grinder until it is reduced to fine dust. Sift the dust through a fine-mesh strainer and then stir it into the flour before dredging the chicken. Look for dried mushrooms that are smooth and have small pores; shriveled porcini with large holes will retain dirt and grit even after rinsing. The chicken breasts will be easier to slice in half if you freeze them for 15 minutes. To slice a breast in half, place one hand on top of the breast to secure it, hold a chef’s knife parallel to the cutting board, and slice through the middle of the breast horizontally.
Ingredients
1/2 ounce dried porcini mushrooms (about 3/4 cup) (see note)
1 cup low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup plus 1 teaspoon unbleached all-purpose flour
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (6 to 8 ounces each), tenderloins removed and breasts trimmed of excess fat, halved horizontally, and pounded 1/4 inch thick (see note)
2 tablespoons vegetable oil , plus 1 teaspoon
1 small shallot , minced (about 2 tablespoons)
1/4 cup dry vermouth
1 teaspoon tomato paste
1 teaspoon soy sauce
1/2 teaspoon sugar
2 tablespoons cold unsalted butter
1/2 teaspoon minced fresh thyme leaves
1/2 teaspoon juice from 1 lemon
Instructions
1.
1. Rinse porcini in large bowl of cold water, agitating them with hands to release dirt and sand. Allow dirt and sand to settle to bottom of bowl, then lift porcini from water and transfer to microwave-safe 2-cup measuring cup. Add chicken broth, submerging porcini beneath surface of liquid. Microwave on high power 1 minute, until broth is steaming. Let stand 10 minutes. Using tongs, gently lift porcini out of broth and transfer to cutting board, reserving broth. Chop porcini into ¾-inch pieces and transfer to medium bowl. Strain broth through fine-mesh strainer lined with large coffee filter into bowl with chopped porcini.
2.
2. Combine ¼ cup flour, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper in pie plate. Working one piece at a time, dredge chicken in flour, shaking gently to remove excess. Set aside on plate.
3.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until smoking. Place 4 cutlets in skillet and cook without moving until browned, about 2 minutes. Flip cutlets and continue to cook until second sides are opaque, 15 to 20 seconds. Transfer to large plate. Add 1 tablespoon oil to now-empty skillet and repeat to cook remaining cutlets. Tent plate loosely with foil.
4.
4. Add remaining teaspoon oil to now-empty skillet and return pan to medium heat. Add shallot and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 30 seconds. Add remaining teaspoon flour and cook, whisking constantly, 30 seconds. Increase heat to medium-high and whisk in vermouth, soaked porcini and their liquid, tomato paste, soy sauce, and sugar. Simmer until reduced to 1 cup, 3 to 5 minutes.
5.
5. Transfer cutlets and any accumulated juices to skillet. Cover and simmer until cutlets are heated through, about 1 minute. Remove skillet from heat and transfer cutlets to serving platter. Whisk butter, thyme, and lemon juice into sauce and season with salt and pepper. Spoon sauce over chicken and serve immediately.
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Cook’s Illustrated 2008 Hardbound Annual
Videos
* Cooking with Dried Porcini Mushrooms
* Sauteed Chicken Cutlets with Porcini Sauce
Serve With
* Rice Pilaf with Vermicelli
* Roasted Carrots, Potatoes, and Shallots
* French Mashed Potatoes with Cheese and Garlic (Aligot)
How to Cook
* Tasting Dried Mushrooms