Italian Chicken with Basil & Beans
This is a really easy one pot dish (YAAASSSS!) that’s quite simply delicious. Tasty and nutritious on so many levels. Sweet roasted tomatoes, garlic with the contrast of the salty, crispy prosciutto all rounded off with fragrant basil. This one wins with each and every member of my family, it’s been in my repertoire for years and I can’t see if ever falling out favour. The nutrition comes in the form of protein from the chicken, antioxidants, potassium & Vitamin A, C courtesy of the tomatoes and the cannellinis provide that hit of healthy carbs, protein and fibre that makes this a truly filling and fabulous meal.
Ingredients
8 Skinless Chicken Thighs
1 x Bunch of Basil
8 Slices of Prosciutto (or other dry cured ham)
2 tbsp Olive Oil
2 Bulbs of Garlic
800g Cherry Tomatoes
175ml Dry White Wine
1 x 400g Tin of Cannellini Beans
Method
- Season the chicken thighs all over with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Pinch off 8 sprigs from the basil (about 3 leaves each per sprig) and lay one on top of each chicken thigh. Wrap each thigh in a piece of ham, with the ends tucked underneath.
- Heat oven to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3. Heat the oil in a large roasting tin over two of the burners on the hob. Add the chicken and fry for about 4 mins or until the ham is just crisped and the chicken is lightly golden. Turn and repeat.
- Meanwhile, cut the garlic bulbs in half around the middle and halve the tomatoes if small, quarter them if they’re big. Pick the leaves from the rest of the basil. Once the chicken has browned on both sides, add all of the tomatoes, half of the basil and the wine. Season then cover with foil and leave to cook slowly in the oven for 40 mins.
- Take out of the oven and turn the heat up to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Remove the foil from the pan and stir the beans into the tomatoey juices. Return to the oven, uncovered, for 30 mins until the tomatoes, chicken and garlic are starting to crisp around the edges and the chicken is very tender. Just before serving, tear the remaining basil roughly then stir through or scatter over the pan.