Chicken Thigh with Tomato Vodka Sauce

This is a pretty easy sauce I came up with using very common ingredients. You can really spice this dish up with the amount of red chili flakes you use. Mix it up using the ingredients you have around like squash or artichokes. If you use something other than chicken thighs cook the meat separately and add towards the end as other meats will dry out. Have fun and enjoy!

Prep Time: 10-15 Minutes
Cook Time: 20-30 Minutes
Servings: 3-5

Ingredients

• 3-4 chicken thighs
• 2 strips of smoked bacon - cut in half
• 1 - 28 oz can whole peeled tomatoes
• 1 small yellow onion - diced
• 1 green pepper - diced
• 2-4 cloves of garlic depending on size - finely minced
• 1/2 lbs crimini mushrooms - quartered
• 4-5 leaves fresh basil
• small bunch of fresh Italian parsley
• 1.5 oz vodka (about a shots worth)
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• Pinch of red chili pepper flakes
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Parmesan cheese
• Enough of your favorite pasta or rice for 3-5 people

Lay the bacon strips flat in a cold deep saute pan. Slowly heat the pan to a medium low setting to let the fat render out of the bacon. I few drops of olive oil will help this process. Remove the bacon and place on paper towels to dry when it is done and crispy. Turn the heat on the pan to medium high and add some olive oil. Cut the thighs into 4 oz pieces or roughly the size of a deck of cards. Season the meat with salt and pepper. Place the thighs in the pan and brown each side for 2-3 minutes. Add the onions, peppers and garlic. Add the garlic last as the onions and peppers will cool the pan down. You don't want your garlic to burn. After the mixture has sauteed for a few minutes add the mushrooms and the red chili pepper flakes. Saute all of this including the chicken for 4-5 minutes or until the vegetables are soft and the chicken is no longer pink. Now, drain the tomato sauce from the can into your pan. Using your hands break up the whole tomatoes into bite size chunks and place in pan with everything else. Roll the herbs into small tight balls and give a rough chop. Add these to the pan as well. Cut the bacon from earlier into small pieces and add back to the pan. Add the vodka and sour cream and stir until thoroughly mixed. Salt and pepper to taste. Turn heat to low and simmer while preparing your pasta or rice.

Cook your favorite pasta or rice using the instructions on the box. Add sauce to pasta or rice as soon as it is finished as to let the base absorb the sauce. Garnish with Parmesan. Enjoy!