Chicken & Dijon Pan Sauce

Wash and dry the fresh produce. Fill a medium pot 3/4 of the way up with salted water; cover and heat to boiling on high. Separate the collard green leaves from the stems; discard the stems, then roughly chop the leaves. Peel and roughly chop 2 cloves of garlic. Core and small dice the apple. Place in a bowl; add half the vinegar and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Set aside to marinate, stirring occasionally, at least 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, combine the soy sauce, mustard, sugar, remaining vinegar, and 1/4 cup of water.

Add the farro to the pot of boiling water and cook, uncovered, 18 to 20 minutes, or until tender. Drain thoroughly and return to the pot. 

Meanwhile, in a medium pan (nonstick, if you have one), heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the chopped collard greens. Cook, stirring occasionally, 1 to 2 minutes, or until slightly wilted. Add the chopped garlic and as much of the red pepper flakes as you’d like, depending on how spicy you’d like the dish to be; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes, or until slightly softened. Add 1/4 cup of water (carefully, as the liquid may splatter). Cook, stirring occasionally, 2 to 3 minutes, or until the collard greens are wilted and the water has cooked off. Transfer to a bowl. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired. Cover with foil to keep warm. Wipe out the pan.

Pat the chicken dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper on both sides. In the same pan, heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil on medium-high until hot. Add the seasoned chicken. Cook 6 to 7 minutes per side, or until browned and cooked through.* Leaving any browned bits (or fond) in the pan, transfer to a plate.

*An instant-read thermometer should register 165°F.

To the pan of reserved fond, add the sauce (carefully, as the liquid may splatter). Cook on medium-high, stirring frequently and scraping up any fond, 2 to 3 minutes, or until slightly thickened. Turn off the heat. Stir in the crème fraîche until combined. Taste, then season with salt and pepper if desired.

To the pot of cooked farro, add the marinated apple (including any liquid); season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine. Serve the cooked chicken with the finished farro and cooked collard greens. Top the chicken and farro with the finished sauce. Enjoy!