How to Make Red Lobster Aztec Chicken

Red Lobster is known for its seafood dishes, but they have a number of menu items that appeal to non-seafood eaters as well. One of the most popular items on the menu is their Aztec Chicken, which the menu describes as a chicken breast grilled with chipotle seasoning and topped with tequila-lime sauce. Although the restaurant will not reveal their recipe, this recipe makes something pretty similar and equally tasty.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• 1/4 cup canned chipotle chiles in adobo
• 3 tbsp. oil
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/2 onion, chopped
• 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 Tbsp. paprika
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. salt
• 4 whole chicken breasts
• Nonstick cooking spray
• Barbecue grill
• 1/2 cup tequila
• 2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 Tbsp. minced shallots
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2 tsp.salt
• Pinch black pepper
• 1/4 cup heavy cream
• 1 stick (4 oz. or 1/2 c.) butter
• Pico de gallo (fresh) salsa
• Sour cream

How to Make the Chipotle Grilled Chicken

1. Combine chipotles in adobo, olive oil, and garlic cloves in a food processor or blender and puree until they form a paste. Add the chopped onion, cilantro, paprika, cumin, chili powder, and salt; process until onion is finely chopped.
2. Transfer 1/4 cup of the chipotle mixture to small bowl. Cover the bowl and put it in the refrigerator.
3. Place the chicken breasts in a glass baking dish and cover them with the remaining chipotle sauce. Cover this dish and refrigerate it overnight.
4. Spray the grill rack with nonstick cooking spray. Prepare the grill to cook your chicken (turn on the gas, light the charcoal or whatever it takes).
5. Grill the chicken breasts until they are cooked through, about 30 minutes in all, moving them to a cooler part of grill as needed to prevent them from burning. Brush the chicken with reserved marinade during last 5 minutes of grilling. Transfer it to a platter and serve it topped with the tequila-lime sauce. Serve pico de gallo salsa and sour cream on the side.

How to Make the Tequila-Lime Sauce

6. Combine the tequila, lime juice, shallots, garlic, cilantro, salt and pepper in a small saucepan over high heat. Bring the sauce to a boil, then turn the heat down and simmer until it has reduced by half.
7. Stir in the cream, let simmer for three more minutes. Cut the butter into small chunks and whisk it in to the sauce.
8. Remove the sauce from the heat. Continue whisking it until all of the butter is melted. Pour it over the chicken and serve.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not want to go through the bother of grilling chicken breasts at home, you can always just bake them--this dish will still taste good