Skillet Chicken Breasts With Eggplant & Feta
Meat & The Mediterranean Diet. We can indulge occasionally in meat and traditions around the Mediterranean dictated consuming meat sparingly, on special occasions or for Sunday meals. That’s a good rule to follow if you don’t want to go totally plant-based. You can also change the proportions in this dish so that there is a lot more eggplant – innately “meaty” – and less chicken!
SERVES 4
Ingredients
- 2 medium eggplants trimmed and cut into 1-inch cubes
- Seasalt
- 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts, each halved lengthwise
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 4 Tbsp extra virgin Greek olive oil
- ½ cup chopped red onion
- ½ cup chopped celery
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 cups drained chopped plum tomatoes
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 4 Tbsp crumbled feta
- 2 Tbsp fresh flat leaf parsley
Instructions
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Place the eggplant in a colander, salting a little at a time. Let stand in the sink for 1 hour to drain. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels.
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Season the chicken with salt and pepper to taste. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, wide, nonstick pot or Dutch oven over high heat, add the chicken breasts, and saute, turning until browned on both sides, about 8 to 10 minutes. Remove the chicken to a platter and set aside.
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Using the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium, add the onion and celery, and saute until translucent, about 5 to 6 minute. Add 3 tablespoons olive oil, raise the heat, and add the eggplant. Saute until the eggplant is lightly browned, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic, stir gently for 1 minute, and add the tomatoes.
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Transfer the chicken back to pot, add the oregano, cover, lower the heat, and cook for 25 minutes, until the chicken is tender. Just before serving, sprinkle in the feta and parsley.