🍋🌿🐔🥔🧀🍄 Tuscan Lemon Garlic Chicken Alfredo & Parmesan Potatoes with Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Mushroom Sauce
This deeply flavorful and comforting bowl brings the essence of Tuscany to your table, featuring tender garlic-lemon herb grilled chicken bites and perfectly crispy Parmesan-garlic potato wedges. The entire experience is enveloped in an incredibly rich sun-dried tomato mushroom pesto Alfredo cream sauce, generously topped with gooey melted mozzarella cheese. A truly gourmet and satisfying experience!
Yields: 2-3 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes (plus chicken marinating time)
Cook time: 30-35 minutes
Ingredients:
🐔🍋🌿 Garlic-Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken Bites:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced 🧄
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice 🍋
1 tbsp fresh oregano, chopped 🌿 (or 1 tsp dried)
½ tsp dried basil
Salt & freshly cracked black pepper to taste
🥔🧀🧄 Crispy Parmesan-Garlic Potato Wedges:
2 medium Russet or Yukon Gold potatoes, cut into ½-inch thick wedges
2 tbsp olive oil
¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp dried Italian herbs (oregano, basil, thyme)
Salt & freshly cracked black pepper to taste
🍅🍄🧀🌿 Creamy Twist: Sun-Dried Tomato Mushroom Pesto Alfredo Sauce Topped Generously with Melted Mozzarella:
2 tbsp butter 🧈
8 oz cremini mushrooms, sliced
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes (oil-packed), drained and roughly chopped 🍅
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup fresh basil leaves 🌿
1 ½ cups heavy cream
¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese 🧀 (for sauce)
½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese 🧀 (for topping)
Salt & freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions:
Prepare Crispy Parmesan-Garlic Potato Wedges:
Preheat oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, toss potato wedges with 2 tbsp olive oil, ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese, 3 cloves minced garlic, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper.
Spread in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown, tender, and crispy, flipping halfway through.
Marinate & Grill Chicken Bites:
While potatoes roast, in a bowl, toss chicken bites with 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 cloves minced garlic, 1 tbsp lemon juice, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Let marinate for at least 15 minutes.
Heat a grill pan or large skillet over medium-high heat. Grill or sauté chicken for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and nicely charred. Set aside.
Prepare Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Mushroom Pesto Alfredo Sauce:
In a large skillet or saucepan, melt butter over medium heat.
Add sliced mushrooms and 2 cloves minced garlic. Cook until mushrooms are softened and lightly browned, about 5-7 minutes.
Stir in the roughly chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
Add fresh basil leaves to the skillet.
Pour in 1 ½ cups heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. (If you prefer a smoother "pesto" sauce, you can transfer the mushroom/garlic/sun-dried tomato/basil mixture to a food processor with a splash of cream, blend, then return to the skillet to finish the Alfredo).
Assemble & Serve:
Reduce the heat of the Alfredo sauce to low. Add the grilled garlic-lemon herb chicken bites to the sauce and stir to coat.
Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese generously over the chicken and sauce in the skillet. Cover the skillet and let it melt for a few minutes until gooey and delicious. (Alternatively, if your skillet is oven-safe, you can briefly place under a broiler for 1-2 minutes for a golden, bubbly top, watching carefully!).
Divide the crispy Parmesan-garlic potato wedges among bowls.
Spoon the cheesy, saucy Tuscan Lemon Garlic Chicken Alfredo mixture generously over the potatoes. Serve immediately and enjoy this incredibly flavorful and comforting meal!
Tips for Success:
Sun-Dried Tomatoes: Use oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for the best flavor and texture. Drain them well before chopping.
Mozzarella Melt: For an extra golden bubbly top, a quick pass under the broiler (if your skillet is oven-safe) works wonders, but watch it closely to prevent burning!
Chicken Doneness: Avoid overcooking the chicken to keep it juicy and tender.
Potato Crispiness: Ensure potato wedges are in a single layer on the baking sheet and not overcrowded for maximum crispiness.
Sauce Consistency: If the Alfredo sauce becomes too thick, you can thin it with a splash of warm chicken broth or milk.
Enjoy this exquisite and satisfying Tuscan-inspired dish!