Chicken with a Lemon Herb Sauce

Chicken with a Lemon Herb Sauce

Chicken:

• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 boneless skinless chicken breast halves
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Lemon Herb Sauce

• 1 clove garlic, peeled
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh mint leaves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons freshly ground black pepper
• 1 lemon, zested and juiced
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Directions

For the Chicken: Preheat an oven to 450 degrees F.

Heat a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil and swirl to coat the skillet. Season the chicken breast with salt and pepper on the smooth side of each breast. Place in the skillet seasoned side down and cook without disturbing until brown and crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes. Season the top side of the chicken and flip. Cook 1 minute over the burner; then transfer the skillet to the oven until chicken registers 165 degrees F on an instant-read thermometer, about 6 to 8 minutes more. Place on a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.

For the sauce: smash the garlic clove, sprinkle with the salt, and with the side of a large knife, mash and smear the mixture to a coarse paste. Transfer to a blender with the parsley, mint, pepper, lemon zest, and juice. Pulse until coarsely chopped and then slowly drizzle in the olive oil. Pour into a small bowl and adjust seasoning. Deglaze pan with the sauce, if desired, and serve with the chicken.