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1
Finely grind toasted walnuts in a food processor.
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2
Transfer the nuts to medium bowl; mix in breadcrumbs and chopped sage.
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3
Drizzle melted butted and 3 tablespoons syrup over nut mixture; toss to moisten evenly.
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4
Season to taste with salt.
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5
Boil broth, sage sprigs, thyme sprigs, and remaining 2 tablespoons syrup in medium saucepan over high heat until reduced to 1 cup, about 12 minutes.
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6
( Can be made 8 hours ahead.
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7
Cover nut mixture and keep at room temperature.
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8
Cover and chill reduced broth.
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9
).
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10
Preheat oven to 450F Heat oil in very large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat.
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11
Sprinkle chicken breasts with salt and pepper, then place flat side down in skillet.
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12
Cook until chicken is golden brown on bottom only, about 4 minutes.
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13
Remove skillet from heat.
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14
Turn chicken over.
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15
Mound walnut mixture atop golden side of each chicken breast, dividing equally and pressing to adhere.
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16
Transfer skillet to oven and bake until topping is crisp and golden brown and chicken is cooked through, about 8 minutes.
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17
Transfer chicken to platter; tent with aluminum foil to keep warm.
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18
Add reduced broth to same skillet, stirring to scrape up any browned bits on bottom of skillet.
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19
Boil over high heat until broth is reduced to 3/4 cup, about 3 minutes.
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20
Reduce heat to low.
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21
Add chilled butter 1 piece at a time, whisking until melted before adding more.
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22
Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
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23
Strain sauce through fine-meshed strainer.
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24
Saute pancetta in heavy medium skillet over medium heat until crisp and golden brown, about 20 minutes.
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25
Meanwhile, cook potatoes in large pot of boiling lightly salted water until tender, about 15 minutes.
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26
Drain potatoes, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid.
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27
Transfer potatoes to large bowl.
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28
Add butter and 3/4 cup reserved cooking liquid.
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29
Mash, thinning with additional cooking liquid if desired.
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30
Stir in pancetta and up to 3 tablespoons pan drippings.
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31
Season potatoes to taste with salt and pepper.
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32
Mound potatoes on plates.
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33
Place chicken atop potatoes.
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34
Drizzle sauce around potatoes and serve.