Balsamic Chicken With Pears Recipe

Ingredients for Balsamic Chicken With Pears

• Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Halves
• Salt & Freshly Ground Black Pepper
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 medium shallot, finely chopped
• 2 ripe but firm pears, cored and thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• Dried Tart Cherry

How to Make Balsamic Chicken With Pears

1. Pat 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Place each breast between two sheets of plastic wrap.
2. Using a meat mallet, gently pound each chicken breast to 1/2-inch thickness.
3. Season both sides of each chicken breast with salt and pepper.
4. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat.
5. Add chicken breasts to the pan and sauté for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown. Remove from pan and set aside.
6. Add 1 medium shallot, finely chopped, to the pan and sauté for 2 minutes, or until softened.
7. Add 2 ripe but firm pears, cored and thinly sliced, to the pan. Sauté for 3-4 minutes, until pears are soft and golden.
8. In a small bowl, whisk together 1/2 cup chicken broth, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, and 1 teaspoon cornstarch until smooth.
9. Pour the sauce mixture over the pears in the pan. Stir in 1/4 cup dried cherries.
10. Bring the sauce to a simmer over high heat, stirring frequently, until slightly thickened (6-8 minutes).
11. Return the chicken breasts to the pan, along with any accumulated juices.
12. Reduce heat to medium, and simmer for 10 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165°F (74°C).
13. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.
14. Remove chicken from the pan and place on serving plates.
15. Spoon the pear and cherry mixture over the chicken.
16. Drizzle remaining sauce over the chicken and fruit.
17. Serve immediately.