Chicken Cutlets with Walnut Caper Brown Butter
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Chicken Cutlets with Walnut Caper Brown Butter
New Media Publishing / Photography: Flat Art Studios.com / Stylist: Abigail Donnelly
Provided by: Kemp Minifie
30 mins total
30 mins prep
By Kemp Minifie
Nuts, capers, lemon, and butter are four pantry/fridge standbys I'm never without in my kitchen and they've served me well on many a night when I haven't had a chance to think about dinner until the moment I walk through the front door. Individually, each adds a delicious layer of flavor but together they really rock. By simply browning the butter to toasty goodness with the nuts and then throwing in some capers and lemon for a briny-acid balance, you end up with a topping for chicken--or fish or vegetables for that matter--that tastes amazingly complex. Don't be surprised if the family squabbles over the last nubbins of sauce.
Nuts, capers, lemon, and butter are four pantry/fridge standbys I'm never without in my kitchen and they've served me well on many a night when I haven't had a chance to think about dinner until the moment I walk through the front door. Individually, each adds a delicious layer of flavor but together they really rock. By simply browning the butter to toasty goodness with the nuts and then throwing in some capers and lemon for a briny-acid balance, you end up with a topping for chicken--or fish or vegetables for that matter--that tastes amazingly complex. Don't be surprised if the family squabbles over the last nubbins of sauce.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 pounds chicken breast cutlets (a.k.a. thin sliced chicken breasts)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces
- 1/3 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoons drained capers, chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
- Accompaniment: lemon wedges
Directions
- Arrange cutlets in 1 layer on a tray or baking sheet and season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Heat a 12-inch heavy skillet (not non-stick) over moderately high heat until hot. Add 1 tablespoon oil and swirl to coat bottom. Cook chicken in batches (don't crowd pan), turning once or twice, until just cooked through (adjust heat lower as necessary to keep bits on bottom from burning and add remaining tablespoon oil when pan begins to look dry in subsequent batches), 2 to 3 minutes total per batch.
- Transfer chicken as cooked to a platter and keep warm loosely covered with foil.
- Melt butter in skillet over moderate heat and when foam subsides, cook walnuts, stirring, until butter and nuts are deep golden and fragrantly toasty. Stir in garlic, and capers and cook, stirring, 30 seconds.
- Stir in lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste, then stir in parsley. Spoon mixture over chicken and serve with lemon wedges.
First Posted: 10/27/11 05:55 PM ET Updated: 01/11/12 05:18 PM ET