Creamy Polenta with Chicken, Caramelized Shallots, Arugula Recipe

By
Yvonne Ruperti
A photo of Yvonne Ruperti, a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Yvonne Ruperti
Yvonne Ruperti is a food writer, recipe developer, former bakery owner, and cookbook author. She is also an adjust professor of baking at the Culinary Institute of America in Singapore.
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Updated August 30, 2018
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Yvonne Ruperti

Notes: Pre-cooked chicken will make this recipe easy. Instant or standard polenta can be substituted in this recipe. See package for timing details. Cooking time may differ depending on your polenta of choice. When cooking polenta, place a lid on top of pot, askew, to prevent polenta from spattering. Once cooked, polenta will begin to thicken as it cools. Serve as close to cooking as possible, or add more liquid to loosen.

Recipe Details

Creamy Polenta with Chicken, Caramelized Shallots, Arugula Recipe

Active 60 mins
Total 60 mins
Serves 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 6 cups homemade or store-bought low sodium chicken stock, divided
  • 12 ounces boneless, skinless, chicken breast (about 2 medium)
  • Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
  • 8 large shallots, sliced thin (about 3 cups)
  • 1 1/2 cups polenta (see note)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  • 2 ounces Parmesan cheese, grated
  • 1/3 cup toasted pine nuts
  • 4 cups arugula

Directions

  1. Slice chicken in half horizontally so that pieces are of equal thickness. Heat 4 cups broth in medium saucepan over medium heat to simmer. Add chicken and reduce heat to bare simmer. Cook until chicken is just cooked through (160°F), about 15 minutes. Transfer chicken to plate (reserve all broth) and shred into bite sized pieces when cool enough to handle. Place chicken in a small bowl and pour 3/4 cup broth over chicken to keep moist. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

  2. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in medium skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Add shallots, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and cook, stirring, until shallot begin to turn golden, 10 to 15 minutes.

  3. Heat 5 cups broth (using both chicken cooking broth and fresh unused broth) in large heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-high heat. When broth comes to boil, whisk in polenta in a fine steady stream. Bring to simmer, whisking, then lower heat so that mixture remains at a low boil (see note). Cook until polenta is soft and creamy, stirring occasionally (see note), and adding extra broth as necessary (use water if broth runs out).

  4. When polenta is cooked, remove from heat and whisk in butter and Parmesan until combined. Season to taste and keep warm (see note).

  5. Add chicken (with broth) to shallots and heat over medium heat until just warmed through. Season to taste.

  6. Spoon polenta into serving bowls and top with chicken mixture and pine nuts. Top with arugula and drizzle with remaining oil and a sprinkle of salt and pepper.

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