So, last night a few of my girlfriends came over for dinner. Since I wanted to be able to chat and socialize while they were here I wanted to make something that was more hands off.

I needed to have free hands so I could hang out with this little guy! (sorry about the bad iPhone picture)

Is he not the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? I think so. :)

Anyhoo, while this meal’s name is Italian and probably sounds fancy, it was the easiest thing ever.

Like literally, cook chicken on one side. Throw a bunch of stuff in a pan. Bake. Throw cheese on the chicken. Broil. Eat.

Doesn’t get much easier than that folks!

Chicken Puttanesca
Adapted from My Recipes

  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 boned, skinned chicken breasts
  • 2 cloves garlic, pressed
  • 1 pt. cherry tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon dried oregano
  • 2/3 cup pitted kalamata olives
  • salt, pepper and red pepper chili flakes to taste
  • 4 slices mozzarella cheese
  1. Heat oven to 450° with a rack set 5 in. from the heat source. Heat oil in a large ovenproof frying pan over high heat.
  2. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Brown chicken in hot oil on one side, about 4 minutes. Turn chicken over and add chile flakes, garlic, tomatoes, oregano, and olives.
  3. Transfer pan to oven and cook until chicken is cooked through, about 20 minutes. Lay cheese over chicken and bake just until melted and browned, 2 minutes.

**Note: The olives are naturally salty so be careful not to be too heavy handed with the salt.


I served it with Parmesan Cous Cous and lots of vino.

The original recipe called for you to halve the grape tomatoes but I’ve used these in the past in other dishes and I prefer baking them whole. It allows them to bake and burst in the oven and they create their own sauce but feel free to do it either way.

Now, time for Jersey Shore!! AND tomorrow is Friday! Yay!