Seared Chicken with Balsamic-Pear Sauce, String Beans and Rustic Mashed Potatoes

Seared chicken with balsamic-pear pan sauce, string beans and creamy rustic mashed potatoes.

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 35-40 min

This dish is Gluten-Free

Calories: 721 Fat: 12g Carbs: 55g Protein: 19g

Hello, early pears…we’re happy to see you start to come into season! These sweet little guys are the perfect foil in a savory dish, delivering yet another level of flavor and texture. This dish is seasonal comfort food in all the best ways, perfect for getting us thinking ahead to sweater weather.

Ingredients

Balsamic vinegar

Russet potato

String beans

Summer crisp Pear

Garlic

Thyme

Chicken breasts

Heavy Cream

Sauté To jump. To fry in a small amount of fat at high heat.

Sear To cook the surface of meat very quickly with intense heat.

Simmer To stew gently below or just at boiling point.

Step 1: MISE EN PLACE

Read though the entire recipe before getting started. Wash and dry all produce. Remove top and bottom from string beans. Remove thyme leaves from stem and leave whole. Dice potatoes into 1” pieces. Slice pear into thin slices avoiding the hard inner core and seeds. Mince or grate garlic. Remove chicken breasts from package; rinse and pat dry.

Step 2: COOK POTATOES

Place potatoes in small pot covered by 2” of water over medium heat; add a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil, cook for 10-12 min until potatoes are tender. Turn off heat, strain potatoes, and return to pan. While potatoes are cooking, begin searing chicken (Step #3).

Step 3: START CHICKEN

Heat 1 tsp. oil in a medium sauté pan over medium heat. Season chicken with a pinch of salt and pepper. Add to sauté pan and sear over medium heat for 3-4 min per side until golden brown and fully cooked. Add garlic, pears and thyme and sauté 2-3 min until beginning to soften.

Step 4: MAKE SAUCE

Add balsamic vinegar, 1/2 cup water, string beans and a pinch of salt and pepper. Cook stirring constantly and simmering for 4-5 min until a thick sauce has formed and pears have broken down.

Step 5: FINISH POTATOES

Add heavy cream; mash using a potato masher or fork until incorporated. Season with salt and pepper.

Step 6: PLATE YOUR DISH

Divide mashed potatoes between two plates. Top with a chicken breast, string beans and plenty of balsamic-pear sauce.