Tequila-almond chicken

2 servings

Ingredients

Quantity Ingredient
4 Chicken breast halves skinned and boned
½ teaspoon Lime zest, finely grated
2 tablespoons Lime juice
1 tablespoon Tequila
1 large Garlic clove(s) thinly sliced
½ cup Blanched whole almonds (2 1/2 oz), chopped
¼ teaspoon Ground cumin
Salt
1 tablespoon Fresh chile, minced (poblano or jalape¤o)
1 small Shallot, minced
1 tablespoon Plus 1 ts olive oil
2 mediums Tomatoes, cored cut into 1-inch dice
1 Avocado cut into 1-inch dice
2 tablespoons Butter
Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Using a meat pounder, lightly flatten the chicken breasts. In a large shallow dish, combine the lime zest and 1 tbs of the lime juice with the tequila and garlic. Add the chicken and turn to coat with the marinade; set aside for 10 minutes.

2. In a food processor, finely grind the almonds. Do not over-process or the nuts will form a paste. Transfer to a large plate. Add the cumin and « tsp salt and toss well.

3. In a medium bowl, combine the remaining 1 tbs lime juice with the chile, shallot and 1 tsp olive oil. With a rubber spatula, gently fold in the tomatoes and avocado.

4. Remove the garlic slices from the chicken marinade. Pat the almond mixture on both sides of each breast half to coat thoroughly.

5. In a large non-stick skillet, melt 1 tbs of the butter in « tbs of the olive oil over high heat. Add 2 of the chicken breast halves, reduce the heat to moderate and cook until golden brown on the bottom, about 5 minutes. Turn the chicken and cook until browned on the second side and cooked through, 3-4 minutes longer. Transfer the chicken to plates and wipe out the skillet. Repeat with the remaining butter, oil and chicken. Season the tomato-avocado salad with salt and pepper, spoon it over the chicken and serve.

Food and Wine September 1995

Submitted By DIANE LAZARUS On 09-29-95

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