WINE & FOOD AFFAIR RECIPES

Main Dish

Fricassee Chicken with Pork Fennel Sausage & Peppers

Alexander Valley Vineyards

8644 Highway 128
Healdsburg, CA 95448
avvwine.com

AVV Syrah has loads of juicy berry flavors, a little spice, a wisp of violet and a hint of smokiness from the barrel aging. The bright flavors make it one of our food friendliest wines, and we love pairing it with equally big foods. This recipe is perfect for any cool weather get-together with friends or family, add in a bottle or two of AVV Syrah, and you'll have a memorable experience.

Ingredients:
  • Polenta
  • 3 teaspoons AVV olive oil
  • 4 boneless/skinless chicken thighs cut in ¼” strips
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 pounds pork fennel sausage cut in ¼” rounds or crumbled
  • 1 red bell pepper julienned
  • 1 green bell pepper julienned
  • 1 yellow bell pepper julienned
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 large white onion diced
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
  • 10 ounce can crushed tomatoes
  • 1 tablespoon fresh parsley finely chopped
  • Asiago cheese freshly grated

Directions:

Make polenta according to package directions, and keep warm. 

Meanwhile, heat a large sauté pan on high heat with olive oil.      

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Sauté chicken until golden, then remove. 

With pan still on high heat, sauté sausage until just crisp at the edges, then remove.
 
Add peppers, garlic, onion, thyme and paprika and quickly sear on high heat for approximately 1-2 minutes as you want the vegetables to maintain a “snap”. 

Once complete, turn heat to low and add the can of crushed tomatoes along with juices, chicken and sausage, then mix together. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, or until hot. 

Add salt and pepper to taste. 

To serve, place polenta in a bowl, then top with the chicken, sausage, pepper, and tomato mixture. 

Sprinkle with parsley and cheese
. 
Enjoy with a glass of Alexander Valley Vineyards Syrah.