Sunday, March 7, 2010

Chicken Scallopine with Saffron Cream Sauce


The weekends always go by in a blur. I usually work most weekends, which is enough to throw me completely off schedule. This weekend we had an eighties party at work and it required a little extra time getting ready. Hot pink leg warmers, check. Hot pink chandelier earrings, check. Blue eyeshadow, check. Blue mascara, check. Is my hair big enough, check. Hot pink mesh gloves, check. Looking like a fool, check.

The best part is that no one at the mall knew we were celebrating eighties day. It takes a certain amount of courage or bravery to walk into an extremely crowded mall on a Saturday afternoon, decked out in 80's garb. I don't recommend it for everyone. I thought I was at a point where I didn't worry about these things, but maybe I was wrong. I did receive some rather funny looks. By the time I reached my store I was a little self-conscious. It didn't help when my co-workers laughed at me. A little while later, another co-worker walked in looking like Punky Brewster and I couldn't help but to laugh at her. Eighties fashion is fun, but it can be so over the top ridiculous. It made for a very fun afternoon. After all, you have to put able to laugh at yourself every now and then.

I wanted to cook the Pioneer Woman's recipe for Butter Chicken this weekend, but lost sight of the fact that it needs to marinate overnight. I needed something quick for dinner tonight so I threw together Giada's Chicken Scallopine with Saffron Cream Sauce. The chicken recipe came together in record time and was a gorgeous meal.



Chicken Scallopine with Saffron Cream Sauce
Adapted from Giada's Kitchen
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound thin chicken cutlets (scallopine)
3/4 teaspoons salt, plus more for seasoning meat
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for seasoning meat
2 shallots, sliced
1 garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup dry white wine
1-1/2 cups low-sodium chicken broth
1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
1/2 cup heavy cream
3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves (optional)

Warm the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat. Season the chicken cutlets with salt and pepper. Cook the chicken until golden and cooked through, 2-3 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a serving plate and tent with foil to keep warm.

Reduce the heat to medium, add the shallots and garlic, and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Deglaze the pan with the white win, using a wooden spoon to scrape all the brown bits from the bottom of the pan. Cook until the wine is almost evaporated. Add the chicken broth and saffron threads, bring to a simmer, and cook for 10 minutes, or until reduced by half. Add the cream, salt, and pepper to the skillet and stir to combine.

Simmer for 1 minute to blend the flavors. Pour the sauce over the chicken. Sprinkle with the parsley if desired and serve immediately.

Notes/Results: This is a truly gorgeous dish that would be great as a romantic meal for two or even for company. It was extremely quick and easy to put together and has a lot of eye appeal. (Unfortunately for me, my pictures didn't turn out too well because it was dark when I ate this tonight) I thought the chicken had a very mild flavor, but at the same time was very pleasing to eat. I really enjoyed it and found it comforting. I think it would be great served over rice or greens, such as spinach.

This is my fifth or sixth recipe from Giada's Kitchen so far and I will be putting together a roundup and cookbook review shortly.

I'll be posting the Pioneer Woman's Butter Chicken soon. The chicken is marinating overnight for dinner tomorrow.

26 comments:

  1. This really is a gorgeous dish; thanks I can't wait to try it!
    And the idea of walking through them mall dressed in 80s attire made me laugh...you poor thing!

    ReplyDelete
  2. wow this chicken looks amazing, and you are brave he he

    ReplyDelete
  3. Chicken Scallopine with Saffron Cream Sauce... Holy Cow! I am SO impressed! It looks AMAZING!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Can I come over....pleeeease?! That's a great looking dish and the photos are fine.

    How are you liking Giada?

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh! Kim that would be a picture I would like to see.LOL
    The Chicken looks delicious. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  6. mmm....looks really good! (always needing and looking for more chicken recipes). How fun it must've been to dress up again from the 80's! If i had to, I'd probably dress more on the "punk" side! LOL

    ReplyDelete
  7. Looks wonderful--I am loving the saffron. The sauce looks so creamy and good--you are making me want to pull out Giada's Kitchen again!
    ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  8. ha ha We need some pictures of your 80's look!! :) That is so awesome. The chicken looks fantastic. The cream sauce looks very inviting.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Bad photos, now way it looks lovely, in fact I was thinking how good the photos were. lol. I will have to try this, sounds like the types of flavours i'd adore.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am sold!

    I also do want to see pics of your 80s look lol. :)

    ReplyDelete
  11. The food sounds delicious. The party sounds like a blast. So, did you happen to have pink legwarmers sitting around your house? Or did you find a store that sold them?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Kim, thanks for stopping by my cooking blog :) I love that you are cooking your way through a cookbook too. I've never made any of Tyler's recipes, to be honest I've never watched much of his shows either! I'll be back to look at all your previous posts.
    This chicken dish looks yummy btw.
    :-)

    ReplyDelete
  13. Hi Kim! Thanks for the visit and kind words. :) I love Tyler and his show was one I always tried to watch. I may have to pick up his cookbook and take a peek inside. Love you site and your recipes look amazing!
    Oh, you are brave to walk into a crowded mall dressed in 80's garb!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Note to self. Buy Giada's Kitchen. Immediately.

    This chicken looks amazing and sounds so fancy! I could see this being on a menu at a restaurant.

    It looks like we were both late with our FFPW posts this week...I'm hoping I can submit mine for next week even though the theme is desserts.

    It sounds like you guys have a lot of fun at the store you work at! I would love to see a pic of you in your 80's attire. For. You know. Blackmail purposes.

    ReplyDelete
  15. This sounds good! I should try a giada recipe, I used to watch her on food network and she seemed to have easy to follow recipes:) Can't wait for the Butter Chicken;)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I love your addition of saffron to this classic dish. This is a gorgeous meal. I hope you are having a wonderful day. Mary

    ReplyDelete
  17. Ah, the good old 80's. I graduated high school in 1986 - my daughter still can't get over how teased my hair was back then!

    Love this dish - my husband would love these flavors.

    I am actually making a Tyler Florence meal tonight - Scallop Saltimbocca with Crispy Fried Sage - can't wait!

    ReplyDelete
  18. That sauce is just so beautiful!!
    I almost picked up a tin of saffron the other day but couldn't justify the cost, now I can because I have a great recipe to use it in! :)

    ReplyDelete
  19. This sounds fabulous! Gotta love Giada. You know its going to be great when you use one of her recipes.
    I laughed out loud thinking of you walking thru the mall all 80's.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Your braver then I to walk through the mall all decked out. How fun! This dish looks delicious. I need to invest in some saffron.

    ReplyDelete
  21. I bet you looked adorable even if you felt funny. I would of loved to see a picture. What a gorgeous looking chicken dish. The sauce looks so rich and creamy. Love the flavors.

    ReplyDelete
  22. Totally delish! I love it.
    This is the second 80's party you have been to since I have known you.. :)

    ReplyDelete
  23. Great looking plate, dark or not. Plus I really like the idea of the saffron cream sauce.

    But you have hot pink tights just laying around? (ha ha)

    ReplyDelete
  24. I can't imagine what people thought as you walked through the mall. Very funny story! Once upon a time I had big 80s hair and wore large hoop earrings...I'll admit it.

    The chicken is beautiful.

    ReplyDelete
  25. I have a Giada cookbook on the shelf. I am ashamed to admit, I am not sure which one and I am more ashamed to say, I have not cooked from it. You put me in my place, unknowingly, and I must retrieve that book and cook up a storm.

    ReplyDelete
  26. I rarely find a Giada recipe I don't like--yours looks truly gourmet! I will have to make this because chicken is definitely my favorite meat!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment! At the moment I am having a huge problem with spam so I've had to add comment moderation and close off comments to anonymous users. I apologize for the trouble and hope to return my comments to normal shortly.