Chicken Breast with Fennel and Rosemary

INGREDIENTS:

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 large fennel bulb (about 1 1/4 pounds), cut into 1/2-inch slices

• 2 teaspoons dried rosemary, crumbled

• 1/2 teaspoon salt

• 1/2 cup canned low-sodium chicken broth or homemade stock

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 1/3 pounds in all)

• 1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
  

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil over moderately high heat in a large nonstick frying pan. Add the fennel, 1 teaspoon of the rosemary, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt. Cook, stirring frequently, until the fennel is golden brown and almost done, about 12 minutes. Add the broth and bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat, and simmer until the fennel is tender, for about 3 minutes. Remove the fennel and the cooking liquid from the pan.
   

2. Wipe out the pan and heat the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil over moderate heat. Season the chicken with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper. Add the chicken to the pan with the remaining 1 teaspoon of rosemary and cook until brown, about 5 minutes. Turn and cook until almost done, about 3 minutes longer. Add the garlic; cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the fennel and its cooking liquid and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a simmer. Cover the pan and remove from the heat. Let steam for 5 minutes. Stir in the parsley.