Chicken Florentine

Chicken Florentine

What does Florentine mean in cooking?

Although the term "Florentine" can be interpreted as the cooking style of Florence, Italy, in modern parlance it has come to mean cuisine that includes spinach as an ingredient. .

Ingredients:

4 boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup flour
2 eggs
8 ounces fresh spinach
6 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper
shredded mozzarella cheese

3 cups prepared "All Time Favorite Tomato Sauce"  (see recipe post)
 http://crowdedkitchen509.blogspot.com/2012/04/all-time-favorite-tomato-sauce.html

Directions:

Rinse the spinach in water and dry.

Coarsely chop the spinach, and place in a medium saucepan with 2 tablespoons of butter.  Cook the spinach until wilted.  Remove from heat and season with salt and pepper.

Pound the chicken breasts until an even thickness of 3/4-inches.  Beat the 2 eggs and place in bowl.  Season the flour with salt and pepper and place in another bowl.  Dredge the chicken breasts in the egg mixture, and then dredge the chicken pieces in flour mixture until coated.

In a large frying pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil and melt the remaining butter.  Cook the chicken breasts on medium-high heat until brown on each side, about 4 minutes per side.

Remove from heat and top each piece of chicken with the reserved spinach, dividing evenly.

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on each chicken breast. 

Carefully pour the prepared tomato sauce into the frying pan.  BE CAREFUL NOT TO COVER THE CHICKEN BREASTS.

Cook uncovered over medium heat until bubbling, and then reduce heat and simmer for 12 to 15 minutes.

Serves 4 - 6