Today in the kitchen - pollo cremoso all'aglio con pasta (June 23, 2021)

Simply put, creamy garlic chicken with pasta, but when the outcome looked and tasted Italian, why not call it in their language. I had no idea as what will I cook but when I was given two chicken breast pieces and asked to cook, I felt as if I am in the Master Chef Australia's entrance test when you don't know what will you be asked to cook and how. First suggestion was chicken salad and pasta but noticed that salad essentials ( vegetables like lettuce, pepper, mushroom etc.) were not available. So my search finished at Creamy Garlic Chicken recipe that was looking simple and appetising. I liked the simplicity and humility in instructions in the channel called "Break the Spice".. whatever that means.

Looking at the pictures it appeared like a continental specialty but no where in the video it was described as such. But watching the video I could smell and taste the dish, that reminded me of our various lunches and dinners we had a couple of years ago in a restaurant outside Pallazo Vecchio in Florence, Italy. 

so, let's begin, this preparation will serve two so you can adjust quantities proportionately, it appeared a very simple dish and you would sure enjoying cooking this.. with little ingredients and here they are:

that's it.

a) two chicken breast pieces - approx 300 gms.

b) 1 medium size onion -about 100 gms

c) 7garlic cloves medium size - 25 gms

d) 1 small size lemon or 1tsp lemon juice

e) 3 tbsp cooking oil (I used olive oil)

f) 2 tbsp salted butter (amul)

g) 1/2 cup cream - 75 ml 

h) 1/2 tsp - freshly ground black pepper

i) 1 tsp - oregano

j) 1tsp - parsley

k) 1/2 tsp salt 

l) 1/2 tsp nutmeg powder.

Preparation:

a) sprinkle some black pepper powder and little salt over the breast pieces and leave it for half an hour.

b) finely chop a medium size onion.

c) crush 2 garlic cloves and finely chop the rest.

cooking process:

While the chicken is getting marinated finely chop 1 medium size onion and 5 garlic cloves.

Keep flame to low to medium, all the time.

Put a frying pan and when heated add 3 tbsp oil and the chunk (1 tbsp) of amul butter.,

Put two crushed garlic cloves and run it for about 30 sec.

Add the marinated chicken pieces to the pan and keep rotating/tossing them every three minutes till it is cooked. Use a tong and cook the chicken sides too, since the pieces are usually thick the sides don't get cooked properly until you do this.

after the chicken is cooked take it out to another dish for later. This will take about 8-10 minutes. Remove the crushed garlic cloves. Add another chunk/tbsp of butter and let it melt, now add  the chopped onion and cook it till it becomes translucent, this will take about 5 minutes. Add the chopped garlic and cook for another 15-20 seconds. Now add 1/2 cup chicken stock or plain water and add a tiny piece of chicken, if you have any left (don't worry if it is not there). Squeeze one full medium size lemon and let it come to boil. Now add the oregano and parsley dried powder a tsp each and mix and cook for another 2-3 minutes. Now add 1/2 cup cream to this and wash the cream container with some water (1/4cup) to use cream stuck to the sides of the container. Let everything boil for another 2 minutes. Now add the cooked/fried breast pieces and cook the whole mixture for another 5 minutes. Keep pouring the liquid over the breast pieces since it doesn't get dipped into the creamy mixture completely. Keep turning the pieces. 

Take the content out into a serving bowl.

Your "pollo cremoso all'aglio con" that is creamy garlic chicken is ready .. the aroma certainly has an oomph factor to make your evening romantic. Serve it with the pasta salad that I made same way as I had a couple of weeks back. ( Jamun in the plate improves the visual and also adds variety in taste. This is on my own, not part of the recipe :))