I'm exhausted.
So now it's the weekend, the fridge is near empty, and I've done no shopping. I really, really don't want to have to leave the house. Ever again. I'd like to sit on the couch with such purpose that my bottom becomes one with the cushion beneath it. But children, and husbands once they're home from their hospital vacay, desire food and I am the official cooker of foods in our house.
Here's the only protein in my freezer.
Notice the wine next to the chicken. I poured myself a glass immediately after spying the bag of poultry because I am so fucking sick of chicken I could scream.
That said, the idea of grocery shopping breaks me more than another damned chicken dinner, so I've resolved myself, and raided the cabinets and fridge. I have a plan.
Chicken Alfredo. A beloved classic.
Season the chicken with salt and pepper. I've been using Himalayan Pink Salt because I read somewhere it's extra good for you. I have no idea if this is actually true, but I believe everything I read.
Next, spray a pan with cooking spray and cook the chicken. I like to use my grill pan because it smokes up the house and makes me feel like I'm at a party. Also, it gives the chicken pretty grill marks.
Remove the chicken and let it rest. It's absolutely true that cutting into meat before it's had a chance to rest and soak up its own juice will result in tough, dry meat. DO NOT BE IMPATIENT WITH YOUR MEAT.
While your meat is resting like a husband in a hospital bed, cut up some bacon, green onions (scallions if you're fancy), and garlic. Saute the bacon on medium heat until it's rendered down a bit, then add the onions and garlic.
When the bacon fat has cooked down and the garlic and onions are golden, add a little dry white wine to deglaze the pan. Scrape up any bits of brown while you're stirring.
(I like to buy the little single-serving bottles because I can cap them when I'm done, put it back in the pantry, and not worry about the wine going bad. For those of you who enjoy drinking white wine, I recommend getting a full-ass bottle and drinking the rest. If I liked white wine, I'd do the same. You'd better believe I'm consuming an adult-sized quantity of red wine while cooking.)
Once the wine is steamy in the pan, add a jar of alfredo sauce. I'm not partial to any specific brand, I usually buy what's on sale.
Turn the heat down to low and let the flavors in your sauce become friends. While they're getting to know each other, start your pasta. My new fav is Dreamfields pasta. It's low carb and tastes amazing, so you can eat your pasta without all the guilt. I used their linguini, but any kind would work for this recipe. Follow the instructions on the box and please do not overcook because pasta mush is just gross. Strain and add the pasta to your sauce. Stir, toss, stir,
Now you can get back to that chicken. Slice it into 1/2" strips, and place a few on top of each plate of pasta. Add some garlic bread and a veggie, and dinner is done, man. It wasn't even that painful.
The family is fed and happy and, though it tried, the chicken did not best me. Can I get an amen?
Xoxo,
Kate.
Chicken Alfredo
2-3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
4 slices bacon, cut into pieces
2 green onions, sliced
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 cup dry white wine
1 jar Alfredo sauce
1 16oz box pasta
Salt and pepper to taste
1. Salt and pepper the chicken breasts on each side, then place on a preheated, greased pan. Cook until the chicken is white halfway through, then turn. The chicken is done when juices run clear. Remove from pan and allow chicken to rest.
2. Saute bacon in a pan on medium heat until the fat has rendered down and coats the pan.
3. Add onions and garlic. Stir.
4. Once the onions and garlic are golden in color and the bacon is crisp but not hard, add the wine. Stir, making sure to scrape up any bits stuck to the bottom of the pan.
5. Add the jar of Alfredo sauce and mix thoroughly. Turn heat down to low.
6. Meanwhile, cook the pasta according to the directions on the box.
7. Strain pasta, and add directly to the sauce in the pan. Toss pasta with sauce and plate.
8. Cut chicken into strips and add to the top of each serving of pasta.
