Chipotle Chicken With Tasso Cream Sauce

This is a tasty chicken dish with smoky flavors coming from both the tasso (a Cajun cured ham) and the chipotle.

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1  lb  chicken tenders, trimmed
• 1⁄4 cup tasso, diced
• 1  shallot, minced
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 2  tablespoons butter
• 1  tablespoon olive oil
• 1⁄4 cup flour
• 2  tablespoons  dried chipotle powder
• 1  tablespoon dried ancho chile powder
• 1  teaspoon  hot sauce (or more to taste, chipotle flavored)
• 1  teaspoon dried cilantro
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cumin
•  salt and pepper
• 1  cup white wine (dry, such as Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio)
• 2  cups half-and-half

Directions

1. Mix the chicken with the chipotle and ancho chile powders, cilantro, cumin, salt and pepper. Allow the chicken to sit for a bit and come to room temperature, about 15 minutes. Dredge the spiced chicken in the flour.
2. Melt the 1 T butter with the olive oil and brown the chicken on both sides, about 5 minutes total. The chicken should not cook through at this point. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.
3. Add the additional 1 T butter and saute the tasso until it is browned. Add the shallot and garlic and saute an additional minute.
4. Deglaze the pan with the wine, stirring, and add the half and half and the hot sauce. Bring to a boil over medium heat and add the chicken back into the pan, including any juices.
5. Cook over medium heat until the sauce has thickened and the chicken is cooked through. Taste the sauce and add more salt, pepper, or hot sauce as desired. Serve over pasta or rice.