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Pollo di Bello (Beautiful Chicken)

Nathan Piccolomini
The name of this Italian dish translates to "beautiful chicken" because of how it looks (and tastes) so beautiful!
Course Main Course

Ingredients
  

Pesto Sauce

  • 1/2 cup whole basil leaves
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • 1 Tbsp pine nuts
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
  • salt and pepper to taste

Chicken ingredients

  • 2 pieces airline chicken breast "Airline chicken" is a culinary term meaning a boneless, skin-on chicken breast with the wing attached (also called a pierre cut).
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • pinch salt and pepper
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1-2 oz pancetta diced
  • 3-4 oz onion diced
  • 4 oz button mushrooms sliced
  • 1 cup tomatoes peeled and chopped
  • 1/3 cup dry white wine
  • 1/4 cup Asiago cheese
  • 1/4 cup Fontina cheese
  • 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

To make pesto sauce:

  • Wash basil. Season with salt and pepper; dredge with flour.
  • Place all ingredients (except Parmesan cheese) in bowl of food processor. Process until mixture becomes a smooth paste, stopping to scrape sides, if necessary.
  • Add Parmesan cheese and pulse just to mix.

To prepare chicken

  • Wash chicken. Season with salt and pepper; dredge with flour.
  • Heat olive oil in large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Sauté pancetta until rendered. Add chicken; brown until golden.
  • Add onion; continue cooking several minutes. Add mushrooms, tomatoes and wine.
  • Bring to a simmer. Top chicken with pesto and 3 cheeses and braise in preheated 350 degree oven for about 20-25 minutes.
  • Season to taste. Serve immediately over rice or pasta. Makes 2 servings. Enjoy!