INGREDIENTS:
- 2 skinless chicken breasts, cut in slices about 1/4 " thick then in bite-size morsels
- 3 - 4 leaves of sage
- 1 red pepper, seeded, coarsley diced, sautéed in olive oil or butter (optional)
- 8 oz pasta (fettuccine, tagliatelle) or 12 oz (3/4 package) penne, etc. (fettuccine is heavier).
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature (or 2 of olive oil for sauteeing the chicken and 2 of butter for the sauce)
- 1 cup freshly grated Parmigiano Reggiano (Parmesan), at room temperature, plus extra cheese to pass at the table
- 1 1/4 cup Half and Half (mixture of light and heavy cream)
- salt and freshly ground pepper (use white pepper if you have it)
- a pinch of grated nutmeg
- SET the pasta water to boil in your pasta pot.
- IN the large sauté pan large enough to hold all the ingredients, sauté the diced chicken in 2 tablespoons of butter or good olive oil until lightly browned. Set chicken aside on a warm plate.
- COOK the pasta.
- TIP: Remember to reserve some of the cooking water to moisten your chicken Alfredo if it is too dry.
- IN the sauté pan: ADD the heavy cream, 2 tablespoons of butter and 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese to the same pan. Keep cooking on low-medium heat, stirring occasionally until the mixture reduces slightly and thickens.
- ADD pinch of nutmeg, 3 - 4 leaves of sage, salt and pepper to taste. Stir.
- ADD the cooked chicken and optional ingredients and mix again. Taste for salt. Add a TBSP or two of the pasta cooking water if too dry.
- ADD the cooked and well-drained pasta to the sauce. Mix well with a wooden spoon.
- TURN into a warmed serving bowl, or directly onto warmed plates.
- VARIATION: Turn pasta mixture into a baking dish, sprinkle 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese on top, and set under broiler for about 30 seconds, until flecked with brown.
- PASS grated Parmesan at the table.
source: e-rcps.com
