In this quick, easy, and delicious one-pot dinner, chicken breasts are seared, then gently cooked in an herb-filled tomato sauce with chickpeas and hearty kale. Topped with crunchy, seasoned breadcrumbs, this rustic meal comes together in 45 minutes.
Why this recipe works:
- Browning the chicken first adds both color and flavor to the outside
- Stirring in the kale and chickpeas at the end prevents them from becoming too soft
- Toasting the breadcrumbs in the pan before searing the chicken avoids the need to dirty other pots.
Recipe Details
Chicken in Tomato Sauce With Chickpeas and Kale Recipe
Ingredients
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1 cup breadcrumbs
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1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon dried oregano, divided
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1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon dried thyme, divided
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1 medium garlic clove, minced or grated with a Microplane
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4 skinless boneless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds)
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Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
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3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
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1 shallot, thinly sliced
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Pinch of dried red chile flakes
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1 (28-ounce) can whole peeled tomatoes
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1 cup homemade chicken stock or store-bought low-sodium chicken broth
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1 (14-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
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2 cups lacinato (Tuscan) kale, stems removed and leaves cut into 2-inch ribbons
Directions
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Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium heat until hot. Add the breadcrumbs and toast them, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in 1 teaspoon oregano, 1 teaspoon thyme, and the garlic, and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute longer. Transfer breadcrumbs to plate and set aside.
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Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In the same skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add chicken and sear on both sides until golden-brown, 5 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
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Add the remaining 1 tablespoon oil to the skillet and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add shallot and a pinch of salt and cook until softened, about 2 minutes. Add chili flakes and remaining 1 tablespoon each oregano and thyme and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add tomatoes, their liquid and the stock and bring to a simmer, breaking up the tomatoes with a wooden spoon. Simmer until sauce has thicken slightly, about 10 minutes. Add chicken and simmer until cooked through, about 5 minutes.
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Stir in chickpeas and kale and cook until chickpeas are warmed through and kale is wilted, about 2 minutes. Top with the breadcrumbs and serve immediately.
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 541 | Calories |
| 18g | Fat |
| 53g | Carbs |
| 44g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 541 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 18g | 23% |
| Saturated Fat 3g | 16% |
| Cholesterol 81mg | 27% |
| Sodium 897mg | 39% |
| Total Carbohydrate 53g | 19% |
| Dietary Fiber 11g | 40% |
| Total Sugars 12g | |
| Protein 44g | |
| Vitamin C 57mg | 284% |
| Calcium 216mg | 17% |
| Iron 8mg | 42% |
| Potassium 1234mg | 26% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |