Polenta And Chicken Savory Recipe

Polenta is something you see in many Italian restaurants, usually served with shrimp of meatballs. However, growing up my family did not eat polenta. The first time I even tried it was when I was working at the Italian deli as a teenager. It was good, but I am not a huge fan.

I will on some occasions make polenta, as is with todays simple polenta and chicken recipe. This polenta recipe if broken into two major parts: cooking the polenta and cooking the chicken and broccoli.

What is great about separating the polenta preparation from the chicken is you could use leftover cooked polenta or leftover cooked chicken breasts to bring this recipe together. You would just skip whichever major part you already had the cooked ingredient for.

If you have never had polenta I recommend you give it a try. It is nice to add variation to your pantry and polenta could take the place of rice, quinoa, or couscous in a recipe.

I have made a savory version of polenta in this simple chicken recipe. Polenta is also great with some sweetness for a breakfast or dessert dish.

So have fun with the challenge of polenta and let me know below in the comments how this recipe turned out and what you might have changed to invent your version of the polenta and chicken recipe.

How to Make Polenta and Chicken:

Preparing the Polenta:

• In a medium saucepan (2-quart), melt the butter on high heat, then add the garlic and onions. Sauté for 2 minutes, mixing occasionally, or until the onions begin to soften.
• Next, add in the oregano, basil, salt, ground black pepper, and water. Bring to a boil then reduce the heat to low. Next, add the polenta into the saucepan gradually while mixing for about 3 minutes.

• The polenta will begin to thicken and it will become more difficult to mix. Turn off the heat and set the polenta aside. If adding the grated cheese do so with the heat off and mix in.

Preparing the Chicken:

• In a large skillet or Dutch oven, add in the olive oil and bring to high heat. Next, add in the chicken pieces and sauté for 3 minutes, mixing occasionally.
• Next, add in the honey and soy sauce and sauté for 2 minutes, mixing occasionally. Finally, add in the broccoli and sauté for 5 minutes, mixing occasionally.

How to Serve Polenta and Chicken:

• To serve this polenta and chicken dish place a large scoop of polenta in the center of a plate. Next, spoon your desired amount of chicken, broccoli, and sauce over the polenta.

Invent Your Recipe

For this Polenta and Chicken recipe I am using boneless chicken breasts. You could also use boneless pork loin, boneless turkey breasts, sirloin steak, or sausage. The recipe would work great with any of these options.

If you do not like broccoli, this recipe translates well with green beans, spinach, chard, kale, asparagus, broccoli, or zucchini. Cooking time will vary depending on the vegetables you choose. Experiment with ingredients and find the best vegetables.

Of course this recipe in named Polenta and Chicken, so leaving out the polenta or changing it would be a major shift. However, go for it, try using white rice, brown rice, quinoa, or couscous instead.

I enjoy my polenta on the thicker side so those are the steps I gave you in the recipe. If you like a thinner polenta you could add more water to the sauce pan as you are mixing in the instant polenta. Add a little bit of the polenta in at a time until you get the consistency you want.

For more ideas like this polenta and chicken recipe check out my chicken recipes page.