Chicken Agrodolce (Italian Sweet and Sour Chicken)
Cook Time: 50 minutes
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 3
Calories: 501 kcal
Description
Chicken Agrodolce is a delightful Italian sweet and sour chicken dish that will surprise your taste buds with its perfect balance of tangy and sweet flavors. In this recipe, boneless skinless chicken breasts are first lightly coated in flour and sautéed with garlic, bay leaves, and fragrant allspice berries. A rich, flavorful sauce made with honey, balsamic vinegar, white wine, and fresh citrus juice simmers down into a savory glaze that perfectly complements the tender chicken. Toasted pignoli nuts add a delightful crunch, making this dish truly memorable. Serve it alongside risotto or cappellini for an easy yet elegant dinner in under two hours.
Ingredients
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Boneless skinless chicken breasts | 3 |
| Flour | 1/4 cup |
| Olive oil | 3 tablespoons |
| Garlic (whole cloves, peeled) | 3 cloves |
| Bay leaves | 3 |
| Allspice berries | 6 |
| Honey | 4 tablespoons |
| Dry white wine | 1/3 cup |
| Lemon juice (freshly squeezed) | 1/2 cup |
| Cayenne pepper | 1/4 teaspoon |
| Pignolis (pine nuts, toasted) | 4 tablespoons |
Nutritional Information (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 501 kcal |
| Fat | 22.5 g |
| Saturated Fat | 3 g |
| Cholesterol | 75.5 mg |
| Sodium | 146 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 43.2 g |
| Fiber | 0.9 g |
| Sugar | 30.8 g |
| Protein | 28 g |
Instructions
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Flour the chicken: In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the flour and chicken breasts. Seal the bag and shake it gently to coat the chicken evenly with the flour. |
| 2 | Sauté the chicken: In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the floured chicken breasts, garlic, bay leaves, and allspice berries to the pan. Sauté the chicken until it is browned on both sides, which should take about 6–8 minutes. |
| 3 | Remove chicken: Once browned, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside on a plate. Leave the garlic, bay leaves, and allspice berries in the skillet for added flavor. |
| 4 | Prepare the sauce: In the same skillet, add the honey, balsamic vinegar, and white wine. Stir to combine all the ingredients and bring the sauce to a simmer. Allow it to cook and reduce slightly over medium-high heat for about 10 minutes. The sauce will thicken and intensify in flavor as it reduces. |
| 5 | Return chicken to skillet: Add the chicken back into the skillet along with the orange and lemon juices. Sprinkle in some salt and pepper to taste, and continue cooking the chicken in the sauce for an additional 20 minutes. The chicken should be fully cooked through, and the sauce should have reduced to a luscious glaze that coats the chicken beautifully. |
| 6 | Remove aromatics: Before serving, remove the garlic cloves, bay leaves, and allspice berries from the sauce. These have infused their flavor into the dish and are no longer needed. |
| 7 | Add pignoli: Stir the toasted pignolis (pine nuts) into the sauce and allow them to heat through for about 5 minutes, which will add a lovely nutty crunch to the dish. |
| 8 | Serve: This chicken dish is incredibly versatile and pairs wonderfully with angel hair pasta or a creamy risotto. Be sure to spoon the rich, tangy sauce over your chicken and sides for maximum flavor. |
Cooking Tips & Serving Suggestions:
- Toasting the pignoli: For the best flavor, make sure to toast the pignolis lightly in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown. Be careful not to burn them, as they toast quickly.
- Wine pairing: A crisp, dry white wine, such as a Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc, pairs beautifully with the sweet and sour flavors of the agrodolce sauce.
- Side dish ideas: A simple green salad with a light vinaigrette or roasted vegetables complements the rich, complex flavors of this dish.
Keywords:
Chicken, Poultry, Meat, European, Italian, Sweet and Sour Chicken, Easy Dinner, < 4 Hours, Chicken Agrodolce, Balsamic Chicken
