California Chicken Seafood is a delightful recipe that seamlessly combines the succulence of chicken and seafood with a burst of flavors from a delectable sauce. This culinary masterpiece is a perfect harmony of tender chicken breasts, plump shrimp, and delicate scallops, all bathed in a rich, creamy sauce infused with the essence of brandy and chives.
Preparation for this culinary delight is a breeze, with a total time commitment of just 45 minutes, including 30 minutes of cooking time and 15 minutes of prep. With its very low carb content and high protein profile, this recipe is a nutritional powerhouse, clocking in at just 371.2 calories per serving, making it an ideal choice for health-conscious foodies.
To embark on this culinary journey, gather your ingredients: 1/2 pound of medium shrimp, 2 tablespoons of butter, 1 tablespoon of canola oil, 3 boneless skinless chicken breasts, 1/4 pound of scallops, 3/4 cup of brandy, and 1/4 cup of chopped chives.
To kickstart the cooking process, begin by rinsing, shelling, and deveining the shrimp, reserving the shells for later use. Then, in a large skillet over medium-high heat, melt the butter and heat the canola oil until sizzling. Add the chicken breasts to the skillet and cook until they achieve a golden hue and their centers are no longer pink. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it aside, keeping it warm.
Next, if the scallops are large, cut them into 1/2-inch chunks for optimal cooking. Add the scallops and shrimp to the same skillet and cook them until the shrimp turn a vibrant pink, which typically takes around 3 to 4 minutes. Once cooked, remove the seafood from the skillet and set it aside.
Now, it’s time to elevate the flavor profile of the dish by preparing the sauce. In the same skillet, pour in the brandy and allow it to deglaze the pan, scraping up any flavorful bits from the bottom. Then, add the shrimp stock, cream, and chives to the skillet, and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat. Stir the sauce often until it reduces to about 3/4 cup, intensifying its flavors.
Once the sauce has reached the desired consistency, reduce the heat to medium-low and return the cooked chicken, shrimp, and scallops to the skillet. Ensure that all the meat is evenly coated with the luscious sauce, allowing the flavors to meld together harmoniously.
To serve, simply plate the California Chicken Seafood alongside your favorite side dish, whether it’s rice or pasta, and prepare to indulge in a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds.
And let’s not forget about the shrimp stock, a crucial component that adds depth and complexity to the sauce. To prepare the shrimp stock, simply combine the reserved shrimp shells with 1 cup of dry white wine and 1 cup of chicken stock in a 2-3 quart pan. Boil the mixture uncovered until it reduces to 1 cup, then strain it through a fine strainer lined with cheesecloth, discarding the shells and further reducing the stock to 1/2 cup for maximum flavor concentration.
In conclusion, California Chicken Seafood is a culinary masterpiece that brings together the best of land and sea in a symphony of flavors. With its simple preparation and exquisite taste, this recipe is sure to become a staple in your culinary repertoire, delighting friends and family alike with its irresistible charm.
