Ep 8. Weeknight Stovetop Chicken

In this episode of Lidia's Italy season 3, Lidia Bastianich demonstrates a quick and easy recipe for Weeknight Stovetop Chicken. She begins by seasoning the chicken thighs with salt and pepper and then browning them in olive oil in a hot skillet. Once the chicken is browned, Lidia adds chopped onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the skillet and sautés them until they are soft and fragrant. She then adds diced tomatoes, capers, and kalamata olives to the skillet, along with a few teaspoons of tomato paste and a splash of white wine. Lidia stirs everything together and lets it simmer for a few minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.

To round out the meal, Lidia cooks up a pot of orzo pasta and tosses it with some grated parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil. Once the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened to Lidia's liking, she serves it alongside the orzo pasta for a delicious and satisfying weeknight meal.

Along the way, Lidia shares helpful tips and tricks for cooking chicken to ensure that it stays moist and tender, and she explains why she prefers to use bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs in this recipe. She also offers ideas for variations on the recipe, such as using different types of olives or adding some red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.

As always, the episode is shot on location in Italy, and Lidia takes the opportunity to showcase some of the beautiful scenery and culinary traditions of the region. Viewers will enjoy seeing the local farmers' markets, vineyards, and historic buildings that Lidia visits throughout the episode.

Overall, Lidia's Italy season 3 episode 8 is a must-watch for anyone looking for a quick and easy weeknight meal that is both delicious and healthy. Lidia's recipes are always approachable and easy to follow, and her passion for Italian cooking shines through in every episode.