Skillet Chicken with Potatoes & Haricot Vert {Naptime Everyday}
What’s Going on Today: Celebrating the end of preschool, year one, enjoying the first real days of summer.
Naptime Goals: Prep chicken and potatoes for dinner, laundry, organize last round of winter clothes drop-off for Goodwill.
Tonight’s Menu: Skillet Chicken with Potatoes & Haricot Vert.
I got into making skillet meals this spring. I was given a new skillet and have been having so much fun learning how to cook whole dinners that only required dirtying one pot. When I made this latest meal I was also reminded of how nice it is to cook without having to turn on the oven, it helps keep the kitchen cool in the summer heat! However, of all the benefits of skillet meals, the best thing, I think, is that they can be just as substantial as anything you bake in the oven. No watery vegetables and weak noodles here: chicken, beef, cheesy lasagna, pizza, you name it, it can almost always be cooked in a skillet! As I was thinking about Father’s Day and Dad Food I realized that a skillet meal would be a great idea to share. Substantial, manageable and naptime chef-friendly, it is the perfect celebration meal Dad would love. It can even be made with the skillet you might win my giveaway!
To make this skillet meal last week I seasoned the chicken, cubed the potatoes and prepped the green beans while my daughter was at school. The brief 15 minutes of prep work was all I needed to do before cooking everything that evening. The rest of the afternoon was spent running around with my daughter, taking pictures at her school farewell picnic and setting up playdates for the following week. It is hard to believe that the first year of preschool is really over. Time really did fly by!
That evening I assembled the ingredients in the skillet, turned the flame to low heat and let the stovetop do its magic. The whole meal cooked evenly and beautifully in the white wine-chicken stock reduction. After a brief stay on the stove our chicken was cooked through without a hint of dryness, the potatoes were smooth and creamy while the beans were cooked with just the right amount of crunch. It was the perfect wholesome meal that required a fraction of the time that would’ve been necessary to cook all of the ingredients on their own. We all loved the meal, but my husband was its biggest fan. He is usually so hungry after long days at the office and this meal was just the thing to satisfy his stomach. I am sure it would satisfy the Dad in your life, too.
Recipe
Skillet Chicken with Potatoes & Haricot Vert
adapted from Cook’s Illustrated
Ingredients
| 4 | boneless, skinless chicken breasts |
| 1 | pinch salt and pepper |
| 2 | tablespoons olive oil |
| 1 ½ | pounds baby red potatoes, halved |
| 2 | garlic cloves, minced |
| 1 | teaspoon freshly chopped rosemary |
| ½ | cup white wine |
| 1 ½ | cups chickens stock |
| 1 | cup haricot vert |
| 2 | tablespoons unsalted butter |
| 2 | teaspoons fresh lemon juice |
Instructions
1. Warm one tablespoon of olive over medium heat, sprinkle both sides of the chicken breasts with salt and pepper and cook both sides until browned. Transfer to a plate.
2. Add the remaining oil to the pan and place the potatoes in it cut side down. Cook until they are lightly browned around the edges. Stir in the rosemary and garlic and cook for one more minute. Then pour in the white wine and chicken stock and scrape up any browned bits at the bottom of the pan. Place the chicken back on top of the potatoes and put a lid over the skillet. Cook for about 12 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through the potatoes are tender. Remove the chicken and potatoes and set aside.
3. Increase the heat to medium high and stir the haricot vert. Cook for about 2 minutes and until the sauce has reduced by at least half. Whisk the butter and lemon juice into the pan. Remove the beans and plate the chicken and potatoes and beans on each plate. Pour the sauce from the pan over the chicken and serve.
Naptime Notes
Naptime Recipe Serving ideas
This is a full meal in itself, I recommend some white wine for the parents!
Naptime Stopwatch
10 minutes prep time, 30 minutes cook time (max)
Naptime Reviews
This was a hit with the whole family, we loved the texture and flavor of the meat and potatoes. We also loved that the kitchen stayed cool while we cooked!
I know the feeling! My son just finished his first year right before Memoiral Day weekend. Now I’m trying to schedule as many playdates as possible to keep him entertained in the morning (and to make sure he takes an afternoon nap)! With the heat wave, I’m looking forward to trying this skillet meal tonight since we already have the ingredients on hand! Thanks for sharing! I can always feel confident using your recipes!
Thank you Nancy! Hope it came out well!
Sounds very good I may have to try it on Bill for Father’s Day, I may suggest it to Sarah also. See you soon.
Jean