I get home usually flustered from the traffic, exhausted from a long day at work, and positively starving. I know a lot of you can relate... many times my colleagues at work have wondered out loud what to do in terms of a quick family dinner when they get home, and have asked for something that's fast, easy, and wont dirty a lot of pots and pans. My advice was usually to go for somehting with chicken - so easy and versatile, and very filling for those hungry stomachs, leaving minimal dishes (yes I know.. the last thing you want to do on a weeknight is clean a hoard of things in the sink. You'd rather be chillin'). Because chicken cooks really fast (15 minutes max) this stove-top dish is great for a weeknight. This recipie also comes togther over the stove quite quickly, so keep an eye out at all times so it doesnt burn.
Ingredients:
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons minced garlic (9 cloves), divided
• 1/3 cup sweet chili sauce
• 2/3 cup water
• Juice of 1 large lemon (or 2 small ones)
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 butterflied boneless chicken breasts, divided
Method:
• Warm the olive oil in a deep non-stick saucepan over medium heat, add half the garlic, and cook for 1 minute, but don't let the garlic to turn brown.
•Lower heat, add chicken breasts evenly into the pan, and sear on both sides until pinkish color is gone.
• Add salt, pepper, and water. Raise the heat to high and leave to simmer uncovered for 10 to 12 minutes.
• As the water reduces, add lemon juice, butter, sweet chili sauce, thyme, and remaining garlic, and stir over and around chicken breasts.
• The reducing water, along with seasonings, sweet chili, lemon juice, and butter, will create a thickened saucy liquid. Reduce heat to medium and allow breasts to gently brown on each side, careful not to burn any of the liquid
• Serve with your chice of rice, pasta, or salad sides (NB - I usually douse my side of rice or pasta in the remaining liquid/sauce in the pan before serving. You wouldnt want to waste the lemony-goodness!).