Chicken with Jalapeno Cream Sauce

While Jason’s in SF and I’m in LA, I stay far away from red meat. I try to eat as cleanly as possible because once we’re together, all hell breaks loose and I eat some pretty bad crap. After all, I did gain 24 pounds in the first year of dating him. Yeah, I told you - it’s bad.

So here on my clean-food cleanse, I’m constantly looking for chicken recipes and this one immediately caught my attention: Chicken with Jalapeno Cream Sauce. Let’s say that again. Jalapeno. Cream. Sauce. I mean, what comes to mind when you read that phrase? Nothing really came to my mind. I just got in the car and headed to Trader Joe’s to get some jalapenos and chicken breast.

Now making this dish couldn’t be easier. It’s a breeze to prep since the food processor pretty much takes care of everything. Once the dicing is done, throw some chicken breasts onto a skillet and make your sauce. It’s a simple sauce that is kind of similar to a light, creamy alfredo sauce but it’s infused with jalapenos, shallots, and garlic. It was wonderfully creamy, with just the perfect amount of spice. I slathered it all over the chicken breasts and devoured it over brown rice like there was no tomorrow. I made this all for myself and I managed to finish it in a day! I loved it so much that I made it again that same week when I went to see Jason up north. He loved it just as much as I did - maybe even more!

Caramelized Chicken with Jalapeno Cream (adapted from How Sweet It Is):

Yields 4 servings

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 2 jalapenos, seeded and chopped
• 1 shallot, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 (12-ounce) can fat-free evaporated milk
• 1/4 cup 2% milk
• 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan
• Brown rice, for serving

Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper.

Heat canola oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown, about 7-8 minutes per side.

In the bowl of a food processor, pulse the jalapenos, shallots and garlic until finely chopped; set aside.

Melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.

Add the jalapeno mixture, stirring to coat, and cook until fragrant, about 2-3 minutes.

Whisk in the flour until lightly browned, about 1-2 minutes.

Gradually whisk in both the evaporated and 2% milk, reducing heat to medium low. Cook, whisking constantly, until the sauce has begun to thicken, about 6-8 minutes.

Whisk in the Parmesan.

Season with salt and pepper, to taste.

Add more milk as needed to loosen.

Serve immediately over chicken with brown rice, if desired.

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