This is a very fresh recipe, perfect for a summer lunch. In fact, the first time I ate it I was in Sicily and it was indeed summer. My aunt Daniela made it and I was really impressed both by the vivid green color and by the fresh yet delicate mint flavour. If you have any left overs (and mind you, it is not common), you can use them to fill sandwiches. Wouldn’t that be a perfect treat for a summer picnic? This is also one of those dishes that is best eaten the following day. I hope you enjoy it.
Ingredients (for 4 persons):
For the chicken
500 gms chicken breast fillets
A slice of lemon
A few mint leaves
½ tsp pepper corns
Salt
Water for poaching
For the mint sauce
2 cups of mayonnaise
1 big bunch of mint leaves
1 tbsb extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
½ tsp salt
Start by poaching the chicken. Put the breast fillets in a pot large enough to just fit them in one layer. Add water so that it covers them by a couple of centimetres. Add the salt, pepper corns, a slice of lemon and some mint leaves.
Bring to a boil and then reduce the fire to the minimum. Let it simmer for about 10 minutes then turn the fire off, cover and let the chicken cook in the warm water for another 10 to 15 minutes. When ready, drain the water and let the chicken cool down before slicing it. Keep aside.
In the meantime, prepare your mint sauce by putting the mint together with the salt, olive oil and lemon juice in an electric mixer. Blend into a paste.
Add it to the mayonnaise and stir well.
Mix it with the chicken and refrigerate overnight before serving.
It is best eaten cold or at room temperature with a simple tomato and mint salad on the side.
NOTE: If you liked this recipe, you can vote for it over at Foodfrenzy for the monthly challenge. This month’s ingredient is mint! UPDATE – This recipe came out 3rd in the May challenge. Thank you all very much for your votes!
That looks absolutely delicious… I have to make it!
Nice shots Manu…and yummy recipe too! I’ll definitely vote for it and your macarons of course!
Wow, just so fresh and beautiful…perfect summer food 🙂
It looks very Christmasy on the plate! Love the red & green 🙂 Sounds like it tastes incredible as well. Mint is usually reserved for Mijitos here! Nice to see it in a savory dish. Thanks for sharing!
What a gorgeously refreshing dish for summer, Manu. Must try this, thanks!
This is a great dish .. very different ! Most importantly .. i think it will be very refreshing!
This looks great Manu! El pais bajo mi piel is my favorite book by Belli! AND…. brace yourself … I made poached chicken (tofu chicken :D) for lunch today! I poached it in white wine, ground mustard, and tarragon (will be posting next Friday). We’re totally connected! LOL! And I love the spring green color of your mint sauce! Stunning!
I love mint, but I’m always stuck on how to use it more creatively. This is certainly creative! I bet it would be spectacular with other herbs, too.
Sounds delicious, and the colour is fantastic. I never poach chicken and I’m now wondering why!
Wow manu! this chicken looks lovely, nice red and green color oh just looks yummmmm….. and ur snaps are allway good so clean :).
Beautiful photography as always and what a delicious meal!
I’ve never had this or something closely similar, but you’re right, it looks and sounds so refreshing! Must be wonderful for the warm weather…Thanks for sharing this 🙂
Yum! I’ve never heard of anything like this either! I would love to try it.
Manu, this is such a lovely summery dish. I love mint but don’t often think to serve it with chicken. Just off to vote for you. This is a great use of mint indeed.
Oh wow. I started to learn serious Italian homemade cooking ever since I met you. I totally love the experience. I don’t think this kind of dish is offered at a common Italian restaurant you know, at least not in the US. Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Yum! This looks like creamy mint pesto sauce which sounds just delicious 😀 And so different too!
I adore mint and have a nice bunch at home. I always love getting new ideas to use it and you totally hit the spot. I love the idea of the poached chicken too. Perfect timing as summer is approaching. I am sure this will become a go-to recipe for us.
This mint sauce is so mouth watering that I have to cook it tonight. I love mint and having such a sauce on chicken, never thought of it. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe and gorgeous pictures.
Another wonderful recipe. What great flavors going on here. I love using fresh mint!
This looks yummy! I think you are absolutely right it would taste amazing in a sandwich!!
I made this, loved it and posted about it linking to your recipe. Thanks for the idea.
Yum! How did I miss this post back in May? I am bookmarking this right now – what an amazing recipe! Thanks for linking it up to my chicken blog hop last week 😀
This sounds delicious and easy. I love mint in savoury dishes. Thanks for the inspiration!