Ingredients

  • 2 cups dry red wine
  • 1 cup minced shallots
  • 3 cups fat-skimmed unsalted or reduced-sodium chicken broth
  • 1 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 2 tablespoons minced fresh sage leaves or 2 teaspoons dried rubbed sage
  • 1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1/4 cup coarse-grain mustard
  • 1 tablespoon minced fresh thyme leaves or 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon minced garlic
  • 4 boned chicken breast halves (2 lb. total) with skin attached
  • Salt and cracked pepper

Method

  • In a 10- to 12-inch ovenproof frying pan over high heat, boil wine and shallots, stirring often, until liquid evaporates, about 12 minutes.
  • Add broth to pan; boil until reduced to 1 3/4 cups, about 12 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and half the sage; simmer over medium heat for 2 minutes. Pour sauce into a bowl and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Rinse and wipe pan dry.
  • In another bowl, combine remaining sage, mustard, thyme, and garlic.
  • From a long side on each breast, pull chicken skin almost free, leaving attached on the opposite edge. Smear exposed areas evenly with mustard mixture. Neatly lay skin back in place.
  • Place frying pan over high heat and add 2 teaspoons olive oil. When hot, add chicken, skin down, and brown well, 2 to 3 minutes. Do not turn pieces.
  • Place pan in a 450° oven and bake until chicken is no longer pink in thickest part (cut to test), about 15 minutes. Discard fat from pan. Set each chicken piece, skin up, on a dinner plate; keep warm.
  • Add sauce to pan and stir over high heat until simmering. Spoon sauce equally around chicken. Season to taste with salt and pepper.