Chicken knocks back tequila in pasta dish

Chicken Tequila Fettuccine adapted from California Pizza Kitchen gets raves for a birthday celebration dinner. (Ricardo DeAratanha/Los Angeles Times/MCT)
Chicken Tequila Fettuccine adapted from California Pizza Kitchen gets raves for a birthday celebration dinner. (Ricardo DeAratanha/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

— This pasta dish is adapted from California Pizza Kitchen. It is a flavorful combination of jalapenos, bell peppers, chicken, tequila and spinach fettuccine.

Chicken Tequila Fettuccine ½ pound dry spinach fettuccine 2 tablespoons butter, divided use 4 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, divided 2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced 1 tablespoon minced jalapeno pepper 4 tablespoons chicken broth 1 tablespoon gold tequila Juice of 1 lime 2 tablespoons soy sauce ½ to ¾ pound chicken breast, cut into ¾-inch pieces ¼ small red onion, thinly sliced ¼ to ½ small red bell pepper, thinly sliced ¼ to ½ small yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced ¼ small green bell pepper, thinly sliced ¾ cup heavy cream

In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the pasta until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes, or according to the package instructions. Drain, very lightly oil (to keep the pasta from sticking) and set aside.

In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the butter over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon of the cilantro, the garlic and jalapeno and cook,stirring, until aromatic and the garlic is golden, 4 to 5 minutes. Stir in the broth, tequila and lime juice. Bring the mixture to a boil and cook until thickened to a paste like consistency, 6 to 8 minutes.

Remove from heat and set aside.

In a small bowl, drizzle the soy sauce over the chicken pieces and set aside to marinate for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, heat the remaining butter over medium heat. Add the onion and red, yellow and green peppers, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables have wilted. Stir in the chicken and soy sauce, then the tequila/lime paste and finally the cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and cook until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce is thickened, several minutes. When the sauce is done, stir in the fettuccine and remaining cilantro. Serve immediately.

Makes 2 generous servings.

Food, Pages 33 on 02/20/2013

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