JOSH’S CHICKEN ALFREDO

My brother, Josh, is a hardworking, tenderhearted country boy who is incredibly gifted in the kitchen. He’s so passionate about cooking and has such a knack for throwing something amazing together. One of these days I just know he’s going to have his own very successful restaurant. He and I love to cook together. With the miles between us, we’re always texting and sending pictures of what we’re cooking. With just a photo, he can make me homesick and hungry all at once! And, well, Josh really scored when he married his darling wife, Jade. They both admit that his take on Alfredo helped win her heart. He seasons chicken thighs and bakes them in the oven while preparing the beautiful mushroom cream sauce. Combined with bow-tie pasta and a sprinkle of grated cheese, it is no wonder this recipe wooed sweet Jade.

Makes 4 servings

1½ POUNDS BONELESS, SKINLESS CHICKEN THIGHS

1 TEASPOON GARLIC POWDER

1 TEASPOON ONION POWDER

1 TEASPOON PAPRIKA

SALT AND FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER

3 TABLESPOONS BUTTER

2 TABLESPOONS OLIVE OIL

8 OUNCES CREMINI (BABY BELLA) MUSHROOMS, SLICED

2 GARLIC CLOVES, MINCED

1 CUP HEAVY (WHIPPING) CREAM

1 CUP MILK

1½ CUPS SHREDDED ITALIAN CHEESE BLEND

1 CUP SHREDDED MILD CHEDDAR CHEESE

10 OUNCES BOW-TIE PASTA

1. Preheat the oven to 400˚F.

2. Season the chicken thighs on both sides with the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon pepper. Place them on a baking sheet and bake until cooked through, 20 to 25 minutes.

3. Heat the butter and olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute, or until fragrant. Stir in the cream and milk. When the milk is hot, slowly add the cheeses and continue to stir until the cheese melts and is smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Keep warm until serving.

4. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente. Drain and toss the pasta with the cheese sauce. Stir well. Serve the chicken on top of the pasta.

The vase in this photo is one of my daddy’s first pieces of pottery. It’s an absolute treasure to me.