Balsamic Thyme Nectarine Chicken

Hello! I hope you had a great weekend with lots of rest and time spent with good company. I decided to try out a recipe this weekend that I've never tried or eaten and it turned out pretty damn good, so I had to share it! All those close-minded farmer dudes I'm sure you all know out there will say "hmm...interesting...", but I promise, if you force it on their fork, they'll be getting seconds.

This recipe is my Balsamic Thyme Nectarine Chicken. Nectarines are amazing this time of year so I had to do something with my ripe ones. They soak up the butter and balance out the acidity from the balsamic vinegar and all the juices create a creamy sauce to coat the whole dish. The chicken and bocconcini goes great because they have quite mild tastes and the thyme adds just that extra herby taste that this dish needs. Delicious.

Serves: 6

Prep time: 15 min

Cook time: 25 min

Ingredients

3 chicken breasts

3 nectarines, sliced

1/4 cup butter

1 tbsp flour

1/4 cup white onion, chopped

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp garlic powder

Salt and pepper

10-15 sprigs of thyme

1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar

15 mini bocconcini

Directions

1. Start by slicing the nectarines into small wedges. Then, chop the onion.

2. Cut the chicken breasts parallel to the cutting board into thinner breast by holding the top of the breast with one hand and carefully slicing right under to create two thin chicken breasts. Coat the breasts in flour and the basil, garlic powder, and salt and pepper.

3. Bring a large cast iron skillet or a large/deeper normal skillet to medium-high heat. Add the butter in the skillet and melt. once the butter is starting to brown, add the onions and cook until soft.

4. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet, ensuring that they can all get seared evenly. While the first side sears, remove the thyme leaves of of the sprigs and add half to the chicken.

5. Add the nectarines and let cook with the chicken for abut 5 minutes or until the bottom of the chicken is seared. Then, flip the chicken to sear the other sides. It's okay if a few nectarines get under them, they'll just sear with them. Add the remaining thyme.

6. Add the balsamic vinegar and allow to simmer until chicken is done (approx. 7 minutes).

7. Add the bocconcini on to the skillet and remove from heat. Let sit for 3-4 minutes before serving.

8. Enjoy with your favourite sides!

I made this recipe for my Mom, Dad, and their friend this weekend at home and they were all big fans and if my dad who doesn't like anything "different" liked this, it's a pretty good sign.

Although it's not a common combination of flavours for most - in the prairies anyway - my Mom still described the dish as tasting like comfort food. It's true, it tasted like something I used to have in my childhood but can't quite put my finger on it. Either way, that feeling of comfort is always great to have in food so I took it as a compliment.

If you're looking for a new supper to add to your menu, you need to give this one a try. I really hope it becomes one of those dishes that you love and that is asked for at family meals. I really do think it deserves to be.

Thanks for checking out this recipe. If you give it a try, send me a picture and let me know how it goes! This is a recipe I'd love to see others try. Feel free to share it too!

Have a great week!

- Emily