Shiitake-Crusted Chicken with Creamed Mushrooms

Ingredients

For coating:

• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 6 ounces fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded and caps chopped coarse (about
• 1/2 cup)
• 1/3 cup fine dry bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg, beaten lightly
• 2 whole skinless boneless chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 pounds), halved
• 2 tablespoons olive oil

For creamed mushrooms:

• 1 large shallot, minced (about 1/4 cup)
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1/2 pound fresh shiitake mushrooms, stems discarded and caps chopped coarse
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
• Heaping 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crumbled
• 1 cup heavy cream

Directions

Prepare coating: Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.

In a shallow baking pan drizzle oil over shiitakes and toss to coat. Roast mushrooms, stirring once or twice, 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden. Keep oven at 450 degrees F.

Mince roasted shiitake and in a shallow bowl stir together with bread crumbs, thyme, and rosemary and season with salt and pepper. Season flour with salt and pepper. Have ready in separate shallow bowls seasoned flour and egg.

Working with 1 chicken breast at a time, dredge in flour, shaking off excess, and dip in egg, letting excess drip off. Coat chicken with mushroom mixture, gently knocking off excess, and transfer to a plate. Chicken may be prepared up to this point 2 hours ahead and chilled, uncovered, on a rack.

In a 12-inch non-stick skillet heat oil over moderately high heat oil over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and saute chicken until golden, about 1 minute on each side. Transfer chicken with tongs to baking pan and roast in middle of oven 10 minutes, or until just cooked through.

Make creamed mushrooms while chicken is roasting: Wipe out skillet and cook shallot in butter over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened. Add shiitake, salt and pepper, to taste, and saute over moderately high heat, stirring, until mushrooms are softened and browned lightly. Stir in wine, vinegar, and rosemary and boil until all liquid is evaporated. Add cream and simmer, stirring, until thickened slightly, about 1 minute. Season mixture with salt and pepper.

Serve chicken with creamed mushrooms.