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Pan-Seared Chicken with Warm Mediterranean Grain Pilaf

By America's Test Kitchen

Published on April 27, 2016

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Pan-Seared Chicken with Warm Mediterranean Grain Pilaf

Ingredients

4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmedSalt and pepper 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling1 ½ cups water 1 cup fine-grind bulgur 10 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (1 cup)¾ cup minced fresh parsley ½ cup pitted kalamata olives, halved1 tablespoon lemon juice, plus wedges for serving

Before You Begin

Do not use coarse- or medium-grind bulgur in this recipe.

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook chicken until golden brown and registering 160 degrees, 6 to 8 minutes per side. Transfer to carving board and tent with foil.
  2. Add water to pan and bring to boil over medium-high heat, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in bulgur and ½ teaspoon salt. Cover, remove from heat, and let rest for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork. Add tomatoes, feta, parsley, olives, lemon juice, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Slice chicken and serve with bulgur salad and lemon wedges, drizzled with extra oil.
Pan-Seared Chicken with Warm Mediterranean Grain Pilaf
Photography by Daniel J. van Ackere. Styling by Sally Staub.

Pan-Seared Chicken with Warm Mediterranean Grain Pilaf

Headshot of America's Test Kitchen
By America's Test Kitchen
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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
1 ½ cups water
1 cup fine-grind bulgur
10 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (1 cup)
¾ cup minced fresh parsley
½ cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
1 tablespoon lemon juice, plus wedges for serving

Ingredients

4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
1 ½ cups water
1 cup fine-grind bulgur
10 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (1 cup)
¾ cup minced fresh parsley
½ cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
1 tablespoon lemon juice, plus wedges for serving

Ingredients

4 (6- to 8-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed
Salt and pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling
1 ½ cups water
1 cup fine-grind bulgur
10 ounces cherry tomatoes, halved
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled (1 cup)
¾ cup minced fresh parsley
½ cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
1 tablespoon lemon juice, plus wedges for serving

Why This Recipe Works

Deglazing the pan after searing the chicken releases the browned bits and creates a flavorful broth for cooking the bulgur.

Before You Begin

Do not use coarse- or medium-grind bulgur in this recipe.

Instructions

  1. Pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook chicken until golden brown and registering 160 degrees, 6 to 8 minutes per side. Transfer to carving board and tent with foil.
  2. Add water to pan and bring to boil over medium-high heat, scraping up any browned bits. Stir in bulgur and ½ teaspoon salt. Cover, remove from heat, and let rest for 5 minutes. Fluff with fork. Add tomatoes, feta, parsley, olives, lemon juice, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil and stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Slice chicken and serve with bulgur salad and lemon wedges, drizzled with extra oil.

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