Start your weekend tonight with an elegant, effortless chicken dinner. Pressing the meat with a weighted pan ensures a crispy crust on the outside and an intensely juicy interior. After the chicken is cooked, tomatoes, garlic, and yellow squash are sautéed in the poultry's flavorful juices.

The recipe calls for fresh marjoram, but if you don't have access to this herb, substitute fresh oregano. A simple green salad with a tangy red-wine vinaigrette is a nice accompaniment. To serve this with a chilled glass of rosé, you'll need the recipe. Get it now and read more.



Pressed Chicken With Tomatoes
From GourmetPressed Chicken With Tomatoes

Ingredients

4 chicken breast halves with skin and bone (2 to 2 1/4 pounds)
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
3/4 pound yellow squash, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 pound tomatoes, coarsely chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
3 teaspoons chopped marjoram, divided

Directions

  1. Pat chicken dry and season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers.
  2. Add chicken, skin side down. Cover with a round of parchment paper, then a heavy pot or skillet, followed by a 3- to 5-pound weight (such as two 32-ounce cans or a brick wrapped in foil). Cook 10 minutes, then remove weight, pot, and parchment.
  3. Turn chicken over and re-cover with a clean round of parchment, pot, and weight, then cook until just cooked through, about 8 minutes more. Transfer chicken to a plate and keep warm, covered.
  4. Add squash, tomatoes, garlic, 2 teaspoons marjoram, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to fat in skillet. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until squash is just tender and tomatoes have become saucy, 6 to 8 minutes.
  5. Stir in any juices from plate and season with salt and pepper. Spoon over chicken.
  6. Sprinkle chicken and vegetables with remaining teaspoon marjoram.

Serves 4.

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