Tender Chicken Breast and Eggplant with Tomato and Cheese
Tender Chicken Breast and Eggplant with Tomato and Cheese
This delightful dish features tender chicken breast harmoniously blended with sweet tomatoes, aromatic eggplant, and rich, melted cheese. It’s delicious served atop toasted bread for a satisfying meal or as a flavorful side dish with rice. Enjoy this simple yet special recipe for a wonderful culinary experience!
Main Ingredients- 2 pieces chicken tenderloin
- 1/3 eggplant
- 1/4 onion
- 1 tomato
Seasonings & Other Ingredients- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Dried basil to taste
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 4 Tbsp store-bought pasta sauce
- Generous amount of mozzarella cheese
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- Dried basil to taste
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 4 Tbsp store-bought pasta sauce
- Generous amount of mozzarella cheese
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Cut the chicken tenderloin into bite-sized pieces. In a bowl, combine the chicken pieces with 1/2 Tbsp salt, a pinch of black pepper, dried basil, and 1 Tbsp vinegar. Gently mix to marinate, allowing the vinegar to tenderize the chicken and remove any unwanted odors. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes.
Step 2
Wash and prepare the eggplant, onion, and tomato. Slice the eggplant into about 0.7cm thick half-moons or your desired shape. Slice the onion thinly. Dice the tomato into pieces similar in size to the chicken.
Step 3
Heat 1 Tbsp of olive oil in a pan over high heat. Add the marinated chicken tenderloin and sear it on both sides until golden brown. Searing the chicken first helps to lock in the juices, keeping it tender and moist.
Step 4
Once the chicken is partially cooked, add the sliced eggplant and onion to the pan and stir-fry them together. Eggplant tends to absorb oil, so you might want to add a little more olive oil if needed.
Step 5
When the eggplant and onion begin to soften slightly, add the diced tomatoes to the pan. Sprinkle salt evenly over everything. The natural sweetness and umami of the tomatoes will enhance the dish’s flavor.
Step 6
Add another tablespoon of olive oil and stir-fry everything evenly until well combined. Stir occasionally to prevent the vegetables from becoming too mushy.
Step 7
Once the vegetables are cooked to your liking, add 4 Tbsp of pasta sauce and 1 Tbsp of minced garlic. Mix well to ensure the sauce coats all the ingredients. The rich flavor of the pasta sauce will infuse into the chicken and vegetables, creating a deep and satisfying taste.
Step 8
Finally, generously sprinkle mozzarella cheese over the top of the dish. Cover the pan or reduce the heat to low and cook until the cheese is fully melted and gooey. Once the cheese is delightfully melted, turn off the heat and serve immediately. You can also sprinkle some dried parsley on top for an extra touch of color and flavor.
