Last Minute Christmas Gift and Chicken Milano Recipe
Have you forgotten to include a friend on your Christmas list or worse, you received a gift from someone you don’t have a clue why they gave you a gift? Maybe you have a few neighbors you want to give a gift to and you’re tired of giving them the same plate of Christmas cookies. No matter what the circumstances we have you cover for easy last minute Christmas gift giving. We love the idea of giving useful but adorable gifts of food.
Get a few bottles of your favorite olive oil and a couple of wooden spoons from the dollar store and attach the wooden spoon to the olive oil with a pretty ribbon, copy our Chicken Milano recipe on a fun recipe card and attach the recipe to the ribbon. Now you have a darling thoughtful easy last minute Christmas gift.
You could also use this as your gift for all the gals in your office this year. It also makes a great hostess gift and simple last minute birthday present. Just keep on hand a few bottles of olive oil, wooden spoons, ribbons and you will never be caught short handed in the gift department again. It’s so easy to make a bunch at one time.
Here’s another fun little trick to personalize your gift even more and give it that extra special touch…go to Pompeian Facebook page and print a custom label with recipe! The recipient of this gift will think you are the most clever and sweet gift giver.
Our Chicken Milano recipe is full of flavor and the sun dried tomato sauce takes this dish to the next level. This would be a great dish to share when family comes to town this holiday season. They will think you have gone to culinary school when they take their first bite.
Chicken Milano
Ingredients
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic
- 3Tbl olive oil
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup dehydrated sun dried tomatoes
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 lb chicken breasts
- 2 Tbl basil
- ½ Tbl thyme
- 1Tsp rosemary
- 1 Tsp Salt
- ½ Tsp pepper
- 1 package of fettuccini, linguine or angel hair pasta
Directions
To make the sauce use the 1.5 quart sauce pan and turn heat to medium low, add olive oil. Wait for it heat up about a minute add garlic, sauté for 1 minute. Add the chicken broth and sun-dried tomatoes. Let them simmer for 10-15 minutes. You want the tomatoes to rehydrated and become tender. Add the cream to the sauce and let it come to a simmer. Remove from heat and pour into a blender, blend until smooth. If you have an immersion blender you could use that. Put the sauce back in the pot and turn heat to the lowest setting to keep warm.
Combine herbs, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Season the chicken on one side with the herb blend.
Preheat 10” skillet on medium-high heat. When water beads up and dances around the pan is ready to add the chicken. Place herb side down in skillet. You want to hear it sizzle. Push the chicken down. Season the side that is up in the pan. Put lid on at a tilt to ensure browning. Cook 4-5 minutes on each side depending on the size of your chicken breasts. To ensure nice browning don’t flip the chicken until it releases from its own juices or at 4-5 minutes. Frequently turning with not achieve a beautiful browning.
Use 4 Quart saucepan to cook pasta. Cook according to package directions. Put lid on and wait for Redy-cook valve to whistle, close valve and turn heat to medium low. Cook for 5 minutes, removes from heat and drain. Put back in pot with lid on until you are ready to serve. Make sure heat is turned off.
When the chicken is done place the pasta on a plate and top with sauce and chicken.
Life is Delicious