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Pollo Tonnato Perfect Meal Hot Or Cold

Linda Gassenheimer Knight-Ridder

This is an easy, scaled-down version of the traditional Italian recipe Vitello Tonnato (Veal in Tuna Sauce), using sauteed chicken instead of veal. It is a perfect dish to serve hot or cold.

The accompanying mayonnaise sauce has the tangy flavors of capers, anchovies and tuna. This shortcut uses bottled mayonnaise and yogurt. The sauce is so quick and easy, you can double the recipe and use leftovers the next day.

The chicken and sauce are served on a bed of red peppers and beans, making this a quick one-dish dinner. Warm a loaf of Italian bread - plain or with garlic and butter - and toss a green salad to complete the meal.

Pollo Tonnato (Chicken in Tuna Sauce)

1 tablespoon olive oil, divided use

2 (6-ounce) boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 medium red bell pepper, thinly sliced (2 cups)

1 cup canned cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (great northern or navy beans may be substituted)

2 medium garlic cloves, crushed

1/2 loaf Italian bread

2 anchovy fillets

1/4 cup water-packed white tuna, drained

1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise

1/4 cup nonfat plain yogurt

1/4 cup water

1 tablespoon capers, drained and rinsed

4 pitted black olives, cut in half

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Heat a large nonstick skillet on high. Add 1 teaspoon olive oil. Add chicken breasts and brown 2 minutes, turn and brown the other side 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Lower heat to medium high, push chicken to one side and add 2 remaining teaspoons olive oil. Add red pepper, beans and garlic. Saute 5 minutes, tossing beans and peppers together.

Place bread in oven to warm.

Rinse anchovy fillets and place in the bowl of a food processor with tuna, mayonnaise and yogurt. Process until smooth. Add water and process to blend.

To serve, spoon the beans and peppers on individual plates and place the chicken on top. Pour the sauce over the chicken. Sprinkle the capers and olives on top.

Yield: 2 servings.

Nutrition information per serving: 682 calories, 63 grams protein, 55 grams carbohydrate, 22 grams fat (39 percent fat calories), 8.6 grams fiber, 134 milligrams cholesterol, 1,522 milligrams sodium.