Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Cajun Chicken Pasta

Ingredients:

3 while boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
3 teaspoons Cajun spice (I used Creole seasoning), more to taste
1 pound fettuccine noodles
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 whole green bell pepper, seeded and sliced
1 whole red bell pepper, seeded and sliced
1/2 of a large red onion, sliced
3 gloves garlic, minced
4 whole Roma tomatoes, diced
2 cups chicken broth
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup heavy cream
Cayenne pepper to taste
Black pepper to taste
Salt to taste
Chopped fresh parsley, to taste

Directions:

Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain when pasta is done. Do not over cook the pasta.

Sprinkle 1 1/2 teaspoons Cajun spice over chicken pieces. Toss around to coat. Best 1 tablespoon oil and 1 tablespoon butter in a heavy skillet over high heat. Add half the chicken in a single layer; do NOT stir. Allow chicken to brown on one side, about 1 minute. Flip to the other side and cook and additional minute. Remove with slotted spoon and place on a clean plate.

Repeat with remaining chicken. Remove chicken, leaving pan on high heat. Add remaining olive oil and butter. When heated, add peppers, onions, and garlic. Sprinkle on remaining Cajun spices, then add salt if needed. Cook over very high heat for several minutes, stirring gently and trying to get the vegetables as dark/black and tender as possible. Add tomatoes and cook for an additional minute stirring gently. Remove all vegetables from the pan.

With the pan over high heat, pour in the wine and chicken broth. Cook on high for 3 to 5 minutes, scraping the bottom of the pan to deglaze. Reduce heat to medium-low and pour in cream, stirring/whisking constantly. Cook sauce over medium-low heat for a few minutes, until cream starts to thicken the mixture. Taste and add pepper, cayenne paper, and/or salt to taste. Sauce SHOULD be spicy.

Finally, add chicken and vegetables to sauce, making sure to include all the juices that have drained onto the plate. Stir and cook for 1-2 minutes, until mixture is bubbly and hot. Add drained fettuccine and toss to combine.

Top with chopped fresh parsley and chow down.

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