Indulge in the vibrant and fresh flavors of Italy with Chicken Bryan, a dish that masterfully combines succulent grilled chicken with a rich lemon-butter sauce, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, creamy goat cheese, and aromatic fresh basil. This exquisite meal is elegant enough to grace any special occasion, yet surprisingly straightforward to prepare for a satisfying weeknight dinner. Inspired by the beloved classic from Carrabba’s Italian Grill, this homemade version brings restaurant-quality dining directly to your kitchen, promising an unforgettable culinary experience.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Chicken Bryan Recipe
Chicken Bryan isn’t just a meal; it’s a celebration of bold, harmonious flavors and textures. Its widespread appeal stems from a few key factors that make it an instant favorite in any home.
A Taste of Italy at Home: The Carrabba’s Legacy
- This recipe pays homage to the iconic Chicken Bryan from Carrabba’s Italian Grill, allowing you to recreate that cherished restaurant experience right at home. It’s a dish renowned for its incredible depth of flavor. The chicken is expertly seasoned and grilled to perfection, then generously topped with a decadent lemon-butter sauce infused with white wine and sun-dried tomatoes, finished with crumbled goat cheese and fresh basil. Each component layers to create a truly unforgettable taste sensation that is both comforting and sophisticated.
Perfect for Any Occasion
- Beyond its exquisite taste, Chicken Bryan is an ideal choice for entertaining friends and family. Its vibrant colors and artful presentation are sure to impress your guests, making it a beautiful centerpiece for any gathering. Despite its elegant appearance, the recipe is surprisingly easy to follow, making it accessible even for novice cooks. Serve it alongside a crisp side salad, perfectly roasted potatoes, creamy mashed potatoes, tender grilled broccolini, a simple pasta, or delicate asparagus to complete a truly perfect meal. The versatility of its pairings further cements its status as a go-to dish for any occasion.
Unveiling the Flavor Profile: Why These Ingredients Work
The magic of Chicken Bryan lies in the thoughtful combination of its star ingredients, each playing a crucial role in creating a symphony of flavors and textures. The base of juicy, grilled chicken provides a canvas for the bright, acidic notes of lemon juice, which cuts through the richness of the butter, preventing the sauce from being overly heavy. White wine adds another layer of acidity and a subtle fruity complexity, deglazing the pan and picking up all the delicious browned bits.
Sun-dried tomatoes are a powerhouse of umami and concentrated sweetness, bringing a chewy texture and intense, savory depth that contrasts beautifully with the fresh elements. The creamy, tangy goat cheese melts slightly over the warm chicken, adding a luxurious mouthfeel and a distinctive piquancy that is utterly addictive. Finally, fresh basil, chiffonaded into delicate ribbons, provides an herbaceous, slightly peppery finish that elevates the entire dish, tying all the Italian flavors together with its fragrant aroma. This thoughtful blend of sweet, savory, tangy, and fresh is what makes Chicken Bryan truly exceptional.
Expert Tips for Flawless Chicken Bryan
Achieving restaurant-quality Chicken Bryan at home is simpler than you might think, especially with a few chef-approved techniques. These tips are designed to ensure every element of your dish, from the perfectly cooked chicken to the luscious sauce, shines brightly.
Mastering the Art of Grilled Chicken
- The foundation of a great Chicken Bryan is perfectly grilled chicken. To ensure moist, juicy chicken breasts with beautiful grill marks, always start by preheating your grill or grill pan until it’s hot. This initial high heat sears the exterior, locking in juices and creating that desirable caramelized crust. Flip the chicken only once during cooking to allow sufficient time for those impressive grill marks to form. Once cooked, let the chicken rest for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing. This crucial step allows the muscle fibers to relax and redistribute the juices throughout the meat, resulting in a significantly more tender and flavorful chicken.
- For accuracy, use a meat thermometer. Insert it into the thickest part of the chicken breast; the internal temperature should register between 160° and 165° Fahrenheit. Remember that the temperature will continue to rise slightly after the chicken is removed from the heat. When slicing, the juices should run clear; if they appear pinkish, the chicken needs a bit more time on the grill.
The Secret to a Flavorful Sauce: Marinated Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- For the lemon butter sauce, the quality of your sun-dried tomatoes makes a significant difference. Opt for marinated sun-dried tomatoes, typically found in jars packed in olive oil. These tomatoes are softer, more pliable, and incredibly more flavorful than their dry counterparts. The oil they come in is also a fantastic ingredient to incorporate into your sauce, adding an extra layer of rich, tomatoey essence and depth that complements the other flavors beautifully.
Smart Storage and Creative Leftovers
- Any leftover Chicken Bryan can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it an excellent meal prep option. To reheat, you can use an oven for gentle warming or a microwave for quicker results. For an extra touch of freshness and flavor when reheating, sprinkle with additional crumbled goat cheese and a scattering of fresh basil just before serving. You can also get creative with leftovers: shred the chicken for a gourmet salad, slice it for sandwiches, or toss it with pasta for a quick and delicious second meal.
Serve with Sensation: Recommended Pairings
Elevating your Chicken Bryan experience extends to selecting the perfect accompaniments. The bright and savory profile of the dish makes it incredibly versatile for pairing. For a light and refreshing side, a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing provides a crisp counterpoint. If you prefer something heartier, roasted or mashed potatoes offer comforting creaminess, soaking up the delightful lemon-butter sauce. Grilled broccolini or asparagus add a touch of elegant green, and their slightly bitter notes harmonize wonderfully with the richness of the chicken and sauce. For pasta lovers, a simple linguine or angel hair pasta tossed lightly with olive oil and garlic, or even a side of risotto, can turn this into an even more substantial and satisfying Italian feast.
Exploring Variations and Dietary Adjustments
While the classic Chicken Bryan is a masterpiece, feel free to customize it to your taste or dietary needs. For those who prefer a different cheese, feta or even fresh mozzarella can be substituted for goat cheese, offering varying levels of tang and creaminess. A sprinkle of red pepper flakes can introduce a subtle heat, while adding a handful of spinach or cherry tomatoes to the sauce during the last few minutes of simmering can boost your vegetable intake and add more color. To make the dish alcohol-free, simply replace the white wine with chicken broth or vegetable broth, ensuring the sauce retains its savory depth without the alcohol content.
More Delicious Chicken Dinners to Explore
- Chicken Spiedini
- Grilled Chicken And Rice
- Crispy Baked Hot Honey Chicken
- Chicken Etouffee
- Chicken Almondine
- Spicy Chicken Ramen
- Restaurant-Style Chicken Fried Rice
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Chicken Bryan
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 40 minutes
Total: 55 minutes
Grilled chicken breasts topped with a lemon, white wine butter sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, crumbled goat cheese and fresh basil.
Author: Cheryl Malik
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4 servings
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 4 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 6 ounces each)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper to taste
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
For the Sauce
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon sun-dried tomato oil (from jar of sun-dried tomatoes)
- 1 small yellow onion (chopped, approximately ½ cup)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- ½ cup dry white wine (pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc)
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- ⅓ cup sun-dried tomatoes (drained, chopped)
To Serve
- 4 ounces crumbled goat cheese
- 5-6 large leaves basil (chiffonaded)
Equipment
- Grill (or grill pan)
- Cutting board
- Basting brush
- Tongs
- Meat thermometer
- Large plate
- Large skillet
- Wooden spoon
- Ladle or large spoon
Instructions
- Preheat grill (or grill pan) to medium-high heat, approximately 375° to 450° Fahrenheit.
- Place chicken breasts on cutting board. Brush olive oil on tops of each chicken breast, then generously season chicken with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Flip chicken breasts over and repeat on other side.
- Place seasoned chicken breasts on preheated grill (or grill pan). Grill chicken, uncovered, 8 to 10 minutes.
- Reduce heat to medium (approximately 350° Fahrenheit) and flip chicken over. Close lid and grill chicken 8 minutes more. After 8 minutes, check chicken for doneness. If needed, continue grilling, checking for doneness every minute, until internal temperature of chicken breasts reaches 160° Fahrenheit.
- When desired internal temperature is reached, transfer grilled chicken breasts to large plate and set chicken aside. Allow chicken to rest, undisturbed, at least 5 minutes.
- While chicken is cooking and resting, heat large skillet over medium-high heat. When skillet is warm, add butter and let melt completely, swirling pan occasionally to distribute melted butter across surface of skillet.
- When butter is completely melted, add onion and sun-dried tomato oil to skillet. Sauté onions, stirring occasionally, until onions have softened, approximately 5 minutes.
- Add minced garlic to skillet with sautéed onions. Stir to incorporate and sauté garlic 1 minute or until just fragrant.
- Add white wine and fresh lemon juice to skillet. Stir to incorporate, making sure to scrape up any browned bits of onion or garlic that may be stuck to bottom of pan. Bring liquid to gentle boil, then reduce heat under skillet to medium and simmer until liquid has reduced by 50%, approximately 8 to 10 minutes.
- Once liquid has reduced, add sun-dried tomatoes and stir to incorporate. Reduce heat under skillet to medium-low and simmer 2 to 3 minutes.
- Place grilled chicken breasts in skillet. Flip chicken over 3 to 4 times to thoroughly coat in sauce, then simmer chicken in sauce until just heated through again if needed.
- Transfer chicken to serving plates. Top with crumbled goat cheese, then spoon sauce over tops of chicken breasts. Garnish with chiffonaded basil and serve immediately with desired sides.
Notes
- Cook Time: Cook time will vary depending on the size and thickness of the chicken breasts. Use a meat thermometer to accurately gauge the doneness of the chicken, and adjust the cook time as needed.
- To Chiffonade the Basil: Stack fresh basil leaves on top of each other, then roll them tightly together lengthwise. Use a small, sharp knife and cut perpendicular to the roll to slice the basil into thin ribbons.
- Make it Alcohol-Free: Use chicken broth instead of white wine.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1 serving | Calories: 458kcal | Protein: 42g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Trans Fat: 0.5g | Total Carbs: 6g | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Net Carbs: 5g | Vitamin C: 19mg | Cholesterol: 152mg | Sodium: 330mg | Potassium: 858mg | Calcium: 68mg | Iron: 2mg
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
© Author: Cheryl Malik
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