Recipe: Chicken Rustica (Like Noodle & Co.'s)

Chicken Rustica for the Home Cook
Source: KUSA, 9 NEWS, 9/24/2004
Noodles and Company recipe

This recipe is inspired by Noodles & Company's Chicken Rustica, one of the restaurant's new, Noodle-less dishes. It's a savory, Puttanesca-style sauce with fresh grilled chicken.

4 natural, boneless chicken breasts
1 jar of your favorite marinara sauce (25 oz.) or 3 cups of your homemade sauce (must be savory, not sweet)
2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
Salt and pepper
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1/4 cup red onions, sliced or chopped
1 cup mushrooms, sliced
1/4 cup white wine
1/4 cup kalamata olives
Chili flakes, optional (max, 1/8 tsp.)
1 cup fresh, organic baby spinach
1/2 cup fresh, grated parmesan cheese

Marinate chicken in 2 tsp. salt and pepper, 1 clove of garlic, crushed, 1 tbsp. olive oil. Cover and put in refrigerator while preparing vegetables for sauce. Place chicken on grill.

Start the sauce by heating 1 tbsp. olive oil with 3 cloves of crushed garlic, 1/4 cup of red onions and 1 cup of sliced mushrooms. Saut over medium heat until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes, depending on the heat of your stove. Once brown, deglaze* the pan with 1/4 cup of white wine.

*Deglaze: Lifts and combines the caramelized flavors from the bottom of the pan.

Once the wine has reduced, add sauce and bring to a simmer. Then, add 1/4 cup kalamata olives and a sprinkle of chili flakes (optional). Add salt and pepper to taste. Cook until thick and bubbly. Add 1 cup fresh (not cooked) spinach leaves at the last minute. Toss and serve over grilled chicken breast. Top with 1/2 cup of fresh parmesan cheese.

Makes four servings.