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Test Kitchen Approved

Cozy Caprese

Time: 35 minutes

Yield: 4 servings

About

The Cozy Caprese is a classic, sunny Mediterranean flavor combination with the heartiness of a main course! Sounds amazing to us! Melty fresh mozzarella, a rich marinara sauce with fresh spinach mixed in, a sprinkling of fragrant basil, all atop a bed of golden polenta slices and tender chicken cutlets. Yum! Making the Cozy Caprese is like weaving a blanket for your taste buds... just the best way to keep the winter cold at bay!

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Ingredients

  • 4 thin-cut chicken cutlets
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • kosher salt, to taste
  • 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 (18-ounce) container pre-cooked polenta, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 5 cups baby spinach, packed
  • 2 cups prepared marinara sauce
  • 1/3 cup water
  • 1 (8-ounce) package bocconcini, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced, packed, for topping

Directions

Step 1 -Preheat the broiler to high heat.

Step 2 -Season the chicken cutlets evenly with the Italian seasoning and the salt.

Step 3 -In a large, straight-sided, ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, add 2 tablespoons of the olive oil.

Step 4 -Add the polenta slices in a single layer to the hot oil and cook until they are golden on the bottom, about 2 minutes.

Step 5 -Using a thin, metal spatula, flip the polenta slices and cook until they are golden on the reverse side, about 2 minutes.

Step 6 -Transfer the polenta to a plate.

Step 7 -Reduce the stovetop heat to medium.

Step 8 -In the same skillet over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon of the remaining olive oil.

Step 9 -Add the chicken cutlets to the hot oil and cook, flipping the cutlets halfway through, until they are golden-brown and just cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F, about 2 minutes per side.

Step 10 -Transfer the chicken cutlets to the same plate as the polenta.

Step 11 -In the same skillet over medium heat, add the remaining olive oil.

Step 12 -Add the garlic to the hot oil and cook, while stirring frequently, until it is fragrant, about 10 seconds.

Step 13 -Add the spinach to the garlic and cook, while tossing, until it is just wilted, about 1 minute.

Step 14 -Add the marinara and the water to the spinach mixture and stir to combine.

Step 15 -Transfer the skillet from the heat.

Step 16 -Add the chicken cutlets and the polenta to the sauce mixture, making sure they are partially submerged in the sauce.

Step 17 -Top the chicken mixture evenly with the bocconcini.

Step 18 -Broil until the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes.

Step 19 -Allow the caprese bake to cool for 10 minutes.

Step 20 -Serve topped with the basil.

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