This sauce is so good, it will make you want to grab crusty bread and wipe the plate. You can’t ask for a meal that gives you more, considering how little time you spend making it. Puttanesca sauce is named for Italian ladies of the night, and though there are many stories about how it got its name, the one that seems plausible to me is that those women needed a quick, satisfying pasta to make between clients. True to its history, this chicken version of puttanesca is ready in a flash! You only need to simmer the sauce for five minutes, and then simmer five minutes more once you add the chicken. It’s surprising how much flavor you get from this quick simmer with just canned tomatoes, olives, capers, anchovies, fresh oregano, and plenty of olive oil. The chicken breasts give the sauce a light meaty flavor, while the tomatoes turn gutsy and pick up a pleasing amount of heat from the red pepper flakes. You can double the recipe easily if you have a larger skillet. Serve it right from the pan or arranged on a platter. Don’t forget to put some crusty bread on the table for swiping up the last of the sauce. You’ll get rave reviews! You can double the recipe easily if you have a larger skillet. Mix in the anchovies, olives, capers, red pepper, and 2 tablespoons of the oregano to the bowl. Set aside. Add the chicken and cook without disturbing for 3 minutes, or until browned. If you are using a cast-iron or stainless steel skillet, do not turn until the chicken moves easily without prodding. Turn and cook the other side for 3 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Add the tomato mixture – be careful since the juices will splutter when you add them to the pan. Cook for 1 minute or until the spluttering stops. Stir well, turn down the heat, and simmer for 5 minutes. Taste for seasoning and add more salt, black pepper, or red pepper, if you like. Cover the pan and simmer for 5 to 8 minutes, or until a meat thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165°F.
