Basil Cream Chicken

Plan Z Phase: This is a Z3.5 (ZReboot 3.5) recipe.

I adapted this dish from one I saw in a recipe site. I had to change it quite a bit to “Zola-fy” it but it was just so decadent and creamy I had to share.  You can do pasta with this dish as long as you don’t do it very often.  I eat a cup of pasta about 4 times a year.  That’s it.  Most times I put the pasta in the bottom of a bowl and put the sauce on top. By the time I get to the pasta I’m usually pretty full so I barely eat any of the noodles. That’s a good habit I have built and it has served me well.

*cooked fettuccini. If pasta isn’t your thing you can serve this over a cup of shredded, cooked zucchini to keep it low carb or even a half cup of mashed potatoes. Just treat the mashed potatoes the same as you would pasta; sparing portion sizes and not often.

Serving Size: Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound of boneless chicken breast but into cubes.
  • 1 cup of minced shallots (if you can’t get shallots, sweet yellow onion will do)
  • 1 pound of sliced, fresh mushrooms. You can choose how fancy you want to get. I used half button mushrooms and half shitake)
  • 2 Tbl of olive oil
  • 3 Tbl of butter
  • 1 Tbl of flour
  • 2 cups of chicken broth
  • 1 cup of whipping cream
  • 3 Tbl of minced fresh basil
  • ¼ tsp of grated fresh pepper
  • 1 tsp of grated sea salt (or to taste)
  • ½ cup of grated parmesan cheese

Instructions:

In a large sauté pan heat the olive oil and cook the chicken cubes, mushrooms and shallots on medium high until no pink remains in the chicken. Stir often to keep them from sticking.

While this is going on you can take out another sauté pan and add the butter.  Stir in the flour and then add the chicken broth and the cream.  Stir. Cook until the sauce starts to thicken. Then add the salt, basil and pepper. Taste and continue to cook until it’s a thickness you like.  Adjust seasoning to your palate.

Combine the chicken mixture with the cream mixture and you’re ready to serve. You can stir the Parmesan into the mixture or serve it on top.  Your choice.

Serve over pasta, zucchini or potatoes. If you are looking for a great casserole you can put a layer of pasta in the bottom of the casserole and stir the chicken in on top. Serve warm on the buffet.

This also reheats well in the microwave at work!

Enjoy!

Cheers,