Remove the chicken from the fridge about 1 hour before cooking and season liberally with sea salt. Meanwhile, warm the oven to around 70C.

Place a heavy-based frying pan large enough to fit 4 chicken breasts over a medium-high heat until hot. Brush the chicken with extra virgin olive oil and put in the pan, skin side down. Cook for 5 minutes until the skin is crisp, then turn over and cook for a further 4 minutes. Put on a plate and rest in the warm oven.

To make the sauce, pour the vermouth in the same pan and scrape well. Add a good pinch of sea salt and the cream and cook for 2 minutes at a rapid boil. Turn the heat down to medium, slowly add the butter and whisk to incorporate.

Remove frying pan from heat, add the parsley and horseradish, then season with freshly ground pepper and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.

Place one chicken breast on each plate and pour a generous amount of sauce over each. Serve immediately.

 
HOT TIPS

You can also make the sauce with roast chicken - just deglaze the roasting pan with the vermouth, then follow the rest of the recipe.

I like to serve boiled potatoes that have been pan fried with this dish, along with a simple green salad or boiled beans.

SOMETHING TO DRINK

Marsanne

Marsanne is a textural white wine, predominately grown in the south of France. This 2012 Paul Mas ($8) has flavours of white peach and stone fruit, with hints of honeysuckle that will provide balance and sweetness to the peppery horseradish. The broad texture will complement the flavour of the chicken.

Styling by Hannah Meppem. Food preparation by Nick Banbury.