Creamy Chicken and Peppers

Sunday 13 October 2013

 photo SAM_1124_zps11978c73.jpg  

We are off to Liverpool tomorrow to meet up with our good friends Jo and Colin.  We haven't been to Liverpool since my lads were over here in 2001, pre 9/11.  We took them up there for the day and did the whole docks thing.  A lot of walking.  

 photo SAM_1136_zps47f25d48.jpg


We saw the Beatles Yellow Submarine, ate some GREAT chips and just had a nice day together.   This time we are traveling up on the train and I am hoping to visit the Cavern where the Fab Four started out and a few other things, eat some great food, but most important of all . . . do it all with Jo and Colin.    

 photo SAM_1127_zpsd2bdde8d.jpg
I saw this recipe I am sharing today on Pinterest and it caught my eye.  It was called Creamy Chicken Picasso.  You can see the original on Kayotic Kitchen.   She shows step by step photos for her version and you may want to try her take on it instead of mine.  

 photo SAM_1129_zps46fcdc59.jpg

Like everything I had to change things a bit to suit what I wanted and to use up what I had.  I didn't add the water to the sauce, and I am glad I didn't because the sauce would have been far too watery if I had.  (I wouldn't add any water to it, just saying is all.)  

 photo SAM_1133_zps3879a37e.jpg

I also added oregano, basil and parsley instead of mixed Italian herbs.  I like to control that sort of thing and I added a couple of tablespoons of black pepper boursin cheese, for some added creaminess and flavour.  

 photo SAM_1134_zpscffdabc6.jpg

I also add balsamic vinegar to the sauce, and a bit of sugar to cut back on the acidity of the tomatoes.  Plus I cut the peppers and onions into half moons.  I didn't want whole circles.  I think half moons serve nicer.  But that's just me.  I also added some Parmesan to the cheese.  

 photo SAM_1137_zps7a5d02b9.jpg

I also pounded my chicken breasts to an even thickness so they'd cook evenly.  All in all we quite enjoyed  this, and I think you will too.  I'm bringing my camera with me to Liverpool today so expect some pics!  Enjoy your Mondays!  (This isn't a dish that photographs well.)  

 photo SAM_1128_zps7a11f9a0.jpg 

*Creamy Chicken and Peppers*
Serves 4
Tender chicken layered with garlic, sweet peppers and sliced onion and then baked in a creamy tomato sauce.  Delicious.

4 medium chicken breasts, pounded to
an even thickness
1 TBS olive oil
1 TBS butter
salt and black pepper to taste
3 sweet bell peppers
(I like to use one green, one red and one orange or yellow)
(Trim, seed, cut in half and then thinly slice into half moons)
2 fat cloves of garlic peeled and crushed.
1 large onion, peeled, halved and cut into half moons
1 400g tin of chopped tomatoes in tomato juice
1 vegetable stock cube or pot
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried parsley
125ml of cream (1/2 cup)
1 TBS balsamic vinegar
1 TBS light muscovado sugar
fine grating of nutmeg
3 TBS boursin cheese (I like the black pepper)
a couple handfuls of grated mozzarella cheese
2 TBS finely grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat the  oven to 200*C/400*F/ gas mark 5.  Have ready a large shallow casserole dish.

Heat  the oil and butter in a large skillet until the butter begins to foam.  Season the chicken breasts on both sides with some salt and black pepper.  Brown the chicken lightly on both sides and then place it into the prepared baking dish.  Add the onions and peppers to the skillet.  Cook, stirring until they begin to wilt.  Scoop out and layer them in the casserole with the chicken, placing half beneath the chicken breasts and half over top.  Add the garlic to the skillet and cook for about 30 seconds.  Dump in the tin of tomatoes.  Add the herbs, stock cube,  balsamic vinegar, sugar, nutmeg and cream.   Heat to the boil, then whisk in the boursin cheese.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.  Cook for about 5 minutes on low heat and then pour this mixture over the chicken and peppers.

Cover tightly with foil and then bake in the oven for 30 minutes. At the end of the 30 minutes, mix together the mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.  Sprinkle this over top of the casserole and return to the oven, baking for an additional 15 minutes.   Serve hot with rice or pasta, and crusty bread for mopping up the sauce.

Note - There are some of you who have requested a newsletter, but haven't given me an e-mail address to send it to you.  If you have asked for one but not received it, that would be why!

7 comments

  1. This looks good too.
    Marie, I've just printed off your October newsletter and I can't believe you're giving it away! It's brilliant, full of recipes that make me think 'oh yes I must make that'. I would willingly sign up to buy this in future, all the recipes are down to earth and simple to make - the Dressed Road Kill Potatoes are definitely going to be made in the near future! And don't worry about the title dear readers - it doesn't involve meat of any description:)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Think you've missed the stock cube out of the method...

    ReplyDelete
  3. I'm so enjoying your posts, glad I discovered you! I love the internet, I don't know where I could find boursin cheese in my part of the US, found a highly recommended recipe online.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Glad you were able to find a substitute Sally!

    El, you are so right, Thanks for pointing that out, correcting now.

    Rowan, thanks so much for your comment! You have made my day!
    xxoo

    ReplyDelete
  5. I do that too so as not to waste ingredients I have. Also, we are ticky about certain ingredients.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This may not photograph well, but it smells fabulous and eats superbly for something that is so simple to make. Our shop only had the Garlic and Herb boursin, so I used that with a few crushed green peppercorns. Like you, I cut the peppers into strips as I find the rings a bit unwieldy. When my husband came in, he said "Something smells really good", so we could hardly wait to sit down to dinner.

    We ate ours over rice (perfect to soak up that lovely sauce), with a simple tossed salad on the side.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So pleased you were able to make and enjoy this Marie! It does smell really good when it is cooking. I love the idea of serving it with rice. Your dinner sounds lovely! Thanks so much! xoxo

      Delete

Thanks for stopping by. I love to hear from you so do not be shy!


BEFORE LEAVING A COMMENT OR RATING, ASK YOURSELF:
Did you make the recipe as directed? Recipe results are not guaranteed when changes have been made.

Is this comment helpful to other readers? Rude or hateful comments will not be approved. Remember that this website is run by a real person.

Are you here to complain about ads? Please keep in mind that I develop these recipes and provide them to you for free. Advertising helps to defray my cost of doing so, and allows me to continue to post regular fresh content.

Thanks so much for your understanding! I appreciate you!