Santa Fe Chicken Pasta (Copycat)

Step 1

Cook your chicken first.

Step 2

To blacken, lightly sprinkle blackening seasoning on both sides of the chicken.

Step 3

Heat a stainless steel pan over medium-high heat. Cook the chicken completely - turning only once.

Step 4

Hint: You may want to do this on your grill outside because a lot of smoke can be generated.

Step 5

Slice the chicken into the thin long strips.

Step 6

Set the chicken aside while you prepare the sauce and noodles.

Step 7

In a large pot, start heat your water to a boil in preparation for the pasta.

Step 8

In a large stainless saucepan, melt your butter over medium heat.

Step 9

While the butter is melting, finely mince the garlic and then add to the pan.

Step 10

Cook the garlic for two minutes and then add all of the cream.

Step 11

Stir occasionally while it reduces by half.

Step 12

Hint: If your garlic turns brown then the pan was too hot - start over, it will be worth it.

Step 13

While the cream is starting to reduce, prepare your other ingredients by finely mincing the green onions, cilantro, tomatoes & roasted red peppers - but keep the tomatoes separate.

Step 14

Stir in the cilantro, green onion & roasted red peppers while it's reducing.

Step 15

Your cream should be simmering now as it reduces - this process will normally take more than 20 minutes - stir occasionally and keep a watch out for it boiling over.

Step 16

Boil the pasta, which should take at least 12 minutes.

Step 17

Clean the snow peas and add them to the cream - if they simmer in the cream for at least 10 minutes they are perfect - cooked through and hot, but still a bit crisp.

Step 18

When the pasta is done, the cream should be reduced by half now. The cream's texture should not be thick like Alfredo sauce, but not runny like water.

Step 19

Drain the pasta well! Penne pasta is a pain because it holds so much water, but too much left over water will thin out the sauce you worked so hard for.

Step 20

Put the noodles back in its pot and pour your cream over the noodles.

Step 21

Add the chicken and stir everything together well.

Step 22

Serve immediately as this dish is not good as leftovers or once the cream cools.

Step 23

Spoon out an appropriate amount onto a plate and then sprinkle some diced tomatoes on top - you can also use some left over cilantro sprig as garnish if you like.

Step 24

I usually serve this with warm Italian bread with soft butter on the side.