Chicken Toscana with White Beans
 

From The Whole Foods Market Cookbook
 

Delicate chicken soaks in the flavor of fresh puréed aromatic herbs, which releases intense flavor and aroma when sautéed. Pull the tender herb leaves from the oregano, tarragon, basil, and rosemary stalks before pureeing. The natural starch of the white beans will lightly thicken the sauce. This dish can be enjoyed hot from the pan, at room temperature or chilled the day after cooking. Enjoy over cooked or raw spinach, or try it over wild rice pilaf. It also makes a flavorful sandwich filling.
 

Serves 6
 

Toscana Marinade
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced (11/2 tsp)
1/8 cup lemon juice
4 sprigs fresh oregano leaves
4 sprigs fresh tarragon leaves
4 sprigs fresh basil leaves
4 sprigs fresh parsley
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
freshly ground pepper to taste

 

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
1/8 cup olive or canola oil
1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
11/2 cups cooked white cannellini beans (canned ok, drain beans)
sea salt, to taste
ground pepper, to taste
 

To prepare the Toscana Marinade: In the bowl of a food processor or blender, place the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, leaves of oregano, tarragon, basil, parsley, rosemary, and the pepper. Blend all ingredients well until a smooth bright green paste is formed. You may add a few spoonfuls of water to help this process if the mixture looks too thick. You may also make the marinade using an immersion blender.
 

Marinate the cubed chicken in the refrigerator with the Toscana marinade for at least 2 hours, or overnight if possible.
 

Heat the olive oil in a large pan over moderate heat until hot, about 2 minutes. Add the cubed chicken, and allow to brown lightly without stirring initially. Begin turning the chicken after 3 minutes, and add the onion. Sauté for 2 minutes, until the onion begins to soften. Add the white cannellini beans, and continue to cook for 2 minutes longer, until the chicken is cooked through and a light sauce forms around the chicken pieces. Season with the salt and pepper.