Donna Cooks

Mission: To make a to-go dinner in 30 minutes (prep and cook time) that is well balanced and healthy.  The kind of meal that makes a good surprise dinner for your overloaded significant other, friend, or yourself.

Solution:  Chicken piccata with linguine, a one dish wonder.

Chicken Piccata with Linguine

6 oz linguini, prepared to package directions
1 lemon
1 large skinless, boneless chicken breast (about 1/3 to 1/2 lb), cut into bite sized pieces
1/4 cup white wine
2 cups broccoli florets
1 tbsp flour
1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper

Zest lemon with grater.  Cut lemon in half.

In ziplock bag, combine flour with 1 tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper.  Add in chicken pieces.  Shake well to coat chicken in flour mixture. 

In a medium skillet, heat 1 tbsp of olive oil over medium-high heat.  Add in chicken pieces and cook 1-2 minutes each side until chicken is lightly browned and cooked all the way through.  Remove chicken to plate.

Add wine, 1/4 cup water, and the juice of half a lemon to skillet.  Bring to a boil while deglazing the skillet of the chicken bits.  Add in broccoli.  Cook covered over high heat for 1-2 minutes or until broccoli is bright green and tender.  Return chicken to skillet and toss with lemony broccoli. 

Toss cooked linguine with the remaining 1/2 tbsp of olive oil, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp pepper.  Divide seasoned linguine onto two plates, top with chicken broccoli mixture, sprinkle with lemon zest.  Pack into microwavable containers and you’re ready to surprise someone with dinner!

Serves 2