Herbed Chicken Breast with Carrot Purée and Brown Butter

Step 1

Place 6 cups water into a large bowl, add sea salt and stir. Add chicken breasts. Go do something productive or take a nap while chicken brines for 30 minutes

Step 2

Preheat oven to 400 degrees and place oven rack in center position

Step 3

Remove breasts from salt water and pat dry with paper towel. Brush chicken skin with a little olive oil. Sprinkle with garlic powder, sea salt and pepper. Rub gently into skin

Step 4

Heat oven safe pan on cooktop on med /high heat for two minutes. Add olive oil. When oil is hot add chicken, skin side down to pan, cooking until golden brown, lowering heat if necessary (about five minutes)

Step 5

Turn chicken skin side up, sprinkle with thyme and transfer pan to oven and cook for 20-30 minutes depending on the size of chicken breast.

Step 6

While chicken breasts are cooking, make carrots and brown butter:

Step 7

Place a medium size sauce pan on cooktop on high heat, add broth. Bring to a boil, then lower to a simmer. Add carrots and cook until soft and much of the broth has evaporated (about 8 minutes)

Step 8

Remove carrots from pot, saving broth for later. Pour carrots into food processor or blender, add 2 tablespoons butter, a pinch of sea salt and pepper and blend until smooth. If needed, thin with a little left over broth, consistency should be that of mashed potatoes. Place back in pan and keep warm while you make brown butter:

Step 9

Place a very small pan on medium heat, add 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter. Simmer butter, stirring frequently for about five minutes. Be patient. Butter will bubble, then become frothy and finally the center will erupt with a golden color. Immediately turn off heat and stir. Your butter is now browned!

Step 10

When chicken breasts are done, plate food: Divide carrots evenly onto four plates, top with chicken, drizzle with brown butter and garnish with parsley and a few remaining sprigs of thyme. Eat up!