It was our first valentine’s day in the US, we had never celebrated this day before. I had just got a new job. So we thought of celebrating the day. I knew V does not like any non-Indian food, but I insisted that we go to an Italian restaurant. He booked in Zio’s restaurant which is close to our apartment. We went there and it was packed full. After waiting for a while, we got a place to sit. I had tasted Italian food only once before this, few years ago. So I started acting as if I knew everything about Italian dishes and told V that I want to eat lasagna. I told him it is the best dish they have. He took quite a while to read the whole menu and carefully selected Grilled Chicken Amalfi.
Are you still interested to know what happened or have you already guessed? As usual, I hated my dish. Not that it was bad, but it was not like how I had thought it would be. I just ate few spoons and left a huge portion. V was enjoying his amalfi like anything. It had totally turned him into an Italian food lover. The chicken was very tender, just the way he likes and it was served with angel hair pasta. After that day, we ate at Zio’s almost once in every 2 weeks and every time we ordered same dish. We are so crazy about this dish.
Now we have become such a huge fans of Italian dishes that, when we eat out, it is usually Italian food. We have tried many dishes in different restaurants. We love them all, but amalfi is still one of the favorites. I have been trying to learn Italian cooking these days. Not that I have been very successful, but I keep trying. V’s only request every single time is – please learn to make amalfi. So this time, I read the menu carefully and made my version of it. I still don’t know what they use for the chicken, but atleast I know they use lemon cream sauce for the pasta. I tried this and it was just out of the world. I just fried the chicken in a skillet because I don’t have access to grill. But I am sure when grilled this would taste the best. I am not calling my version as amalfi, because this may not be the way they make it, its just my version.
This is my entry to Sig’s Grill It event.
Ingredients:
1/3 rd pack (about 125gms) of angel hair pasta
2 chicken breasts
1/4 cup sliced onion
1/2 tea spn chopped garlic
3 sun chopped dried tomatoes
1/2 cup cream
1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
1 tbl spn lemon juice
Pepper
1 tea spn butter
Olive oil
Salt
Method:
Sprinkle freshly ground black pepper and salt on both sides of chicken breasts and keep it aside for 30mins (Usually pepper and salt are added and immediately it is cooked, but I thought 30mins resting time would help chicken pieces to absorb the flavors).
In a skillet, spread some olive oil. Heat the skillet to screaming hot. Now add the chicken pieces. Do not disturb the pieces for few minutes. After a while, turn them upside down. When they are completely done, take them out on a plate and cover with aluminum foil to keep them hot.
Cook angel hair pasta in water according to packet instructions.
In the same skillet used to cook chicken, add butter. Keep the flame on medium. When butter is melted add onion and garlic. Take care these two should not turn red. Fry only till they are translucent. Now add lemon juice heat for half a minute. Add cream(take care not to boil the cream. Just heat it till the cream is warmed up). Mix well. Add sun dried tomatoes, salt and pepper. Add Parmesan cheese, mix. Add the drained pasta, mix.
Serve the pasta with chicken piece.
Serves : 2
Preparation time : 20mins
Wow..looks amazing..I would love to have these with some mashed potatoes..Sounds perfect..
I have never had amalfi, but this looks amazing! I always think of recreating the restaurant dishes at home, but never gets around to it. You are great! And thanks for the entry! 🙂
Hi Shilpa! chick looks great and fabulous…great entry to sigs grill event…thanks for sharing…
Lovely recipe and what a great presentation! It looks so delicate and classy, wow 🙂 I love pasta and I would eat almost any pasta dish but this one looks soooo high-class.
I always love hearing about dishes that mean something to the author – good story!
And your amalfi looks superb, lovely!
looks wonderful Shilpa, I’m back after quite sometime 🙂
Good work !!!!
Nice looking recipe Shilpa… will try it soon.
dear shilpa,
your recipes r just too good!i really mean it n most of all u r so passionate about cooking ………it really shows!keep up the good work!
Shilpaaaaaaa, that looks sooooooooo good.
I’ve never had amalfi.. sounds like the alfredo sauce except for the lemon part..*** note to self – Do not read Shilpa’s blog during lunch/dinner time*** LOL
Hi Shilpa:
Nice to read of your Valentines Day extravaganza!
Does look delicious! And am sure, with the “grilled” chicken it would be better; heh, you could try this with salmon too!
Since a few years we have essentially stopped Italian foods – except during marathon training See, I need the carbs for the loooong runs!
And –
you could really spice the chicken, make it “amchi” and call it Chicken Kodkani! :-))
Yum! Love the flavors you have going here Shilpa! Thanks for entering this to the MM!
I love the Italian sour sauces too! There is a dish available at a restaurant here in my city- which I order often- and that is very similar to what you have done here: they call it “pollo picante” (piquant chicken). The only big difference is that it also contains: capers (pickles), peperoncini (pickled green chiles), and lots of garlic. I know it is rich, but I love love love it! The same sauce is also good with fish/seafood- especially scallops!
Have you tried the Italian sweets: tiramisu and zabaglione?
Shilpa: I LOVEEE tiramisu. I will check out zabaglione next time.
the picture looks amazin and i am already drooling while still reading the reciepe. u must be an amzing cook..
reading ur experience of italian restuarant visit. i rembered mine. where i hadchicken and mushroom fettuchine with creamy sauce. the taste was awesome. i am scared to go to any italian restauarant now, coz i jus don want to forget that taste…
that looks beautiful Shilpa!
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You forgot to put in mushrooms