Chow Italia – Healthy Chicken and Pasta in the Italian Style

If you are dreading taking the kids to Italy and being forced to eat spaghetti with butter every day, never fear!  Picky eaters can be taught to appreciate even the most exotic of funghi if you introduce them to foreign foods at home.

Familiarity with typical Italian ingredients and food preparation will help overcome your children's fear of the unknown. If you're heading to Italy or almost any foreign country (as Italian restaurants are found everywhere), take the time to prepare this easy and nutritious recipe from AllRecipes.com for Pollo Scarpariello. This delicately breaded chicken — either breast meat or in pieces —  is a staple in Italian households, where busy moms like to have a quick and satisfying meal ready at all times.

For more foreign food ideas, see "Introducing Kids To Foreign Foods" which has tips on foreign dishes that kids love as well as healthy dinner recipes for picky eaters that are actually easy to cook together.

Buon appetito e mangia bene!

Preparing Italian Style Chicken Scarpariello

Ingredients
    1 1/4 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
    3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
    2 tablespoons olive oil
    2 teaspoons butter
    2 tablespoons shallots, minced
    2 cloves garlic, minced
    1 cup water
    1/2 cup white wine
    1 cube chicken bouillon
    1/2 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
    1/4 teaspoon salt
    1 pinch ground black pepper

Directions for Cooking & Serving Chicken Scarpariello

Cut chicken breasts into 1 x 3 inch strips, and dredge in flour.  In 10-inch skillet, heat oil and butter. Add chicken. Cook, turning occasionally, until lightly browned on all sides (3 to 4 minutes). Using tongs, remove chicken from skillet. Set aside and keep warm.  (By the way, many moms like to add mild or spicy Italian sausage to this dish, so that's another option.)

To the same skillet, add shallots and garlic. Saute until softened (1 minute). Add water, wine (alcohol evaporates in heat), broth mix, and seasonings. Mix well. Cook, stirring frequently, until liquid is reduced by half, about 3 to 4 minutes. Return chicken to skillet, and cook until sauce is thick and chicken is heated through (2 to 3 minutes).

To make it together, start by getting the kids an apron. You'll need about 15 minutes' preparation time, and 20 minutes to cook four portions. 

Serve your chicken with some crusty bread and a small plate of olive oil (to be used instead of butter); a half portion of angel hair pasta dusted with parmesan cheese; followed by a simple salad with olive oil and vinegar on the side.

From Italy, Chicken Scarpariello Recipe by: Jill M. Photo by: Chibi Chef courtesy of AllRecipes.com