Chicken-and-Polenta Puttanesca Melts

(1)
chicken and polenta puttanesca melts recipe
Photo: Kate Sears
Prep Time:
15 mins
Total Time:
25 mins
Servings:
4

In this quick and easy weeknight dinner, the famously punchy puttanesca sauce is poured over tender slices of precooked polenta and thin chicken cutlets. Topped with creamy mozzarella, the result is a hearty dinner with plenty of zippy sauce to keep every bite interesting.

Ingredients

  • 8 slices (each ½ inch thick) precooked polenta, such as San Gennaro (about 12 ounces total)

  • 1 pound chicken cutlets (4 large pieces, each ½ inch thick)

  • Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

  • 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

  • ¾ cup mixed pitted olives, halved

  • 2 tablespoons capers

  • 1 tablespoon minced garlic (from 2 to 3 cloves)

  • 1 ½ cups homemade or store-bought marinara sauce

  • 3 ounces low-moisture mozzarella, such as Polly-O

  • Chopped fresh parsley leaves, for serving (optional)

Directions

  1. Preheat broiler with rack 6 inches from heating element. Season polenta and chicken with salt and pepper. Heat a large ovenproof skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high; swirl in 2 tablespoons oil. Add polenta and cook, flipping once, until golden and crisp on edges, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

  2. Add chicken to skillet; cook until browned on edges and cooked through, about 2 minutes a side. Transfer to plate. Add 1 tablespoon oil, olives, capers, and garlic to skillet; cook until fragrant, 30 seconds.

  3. Stir marinara into skillet; bring to a boil. Remove from heat; nestle in chicken and polenta, shingling them and spooning some sauce over top. Sprinkle with cheese; broil until bubbly, 4 to 5 minutes. Top with parsley; serve.

Originally appeared: Martha Stewart Living, November 2020

Related Articles