Lemon Penne with Chicken and Spinach

Here’s the original link: http://therecipecrayonbox.blogspot.com/2012/07/lemon-angel-hair-with-chicken-and.html

 

This is a really yummy dish. There are a few tiny changes I did to the original directions. But I made some notes after for what I'd rather do next time I make it. I didn't like the way the directions went. I love lemon and sour things. If you like lemons too, you will love this dish.

Here's what I had in it:

Ingredients: 

1 lb Penne pasta
4 cloves of garlic
1/2 t. crushed red pepper
2 lemons, zest and juice
3/4 c. half-and-half
1 c. Parmesan, grated (or shredded)
Leafy greens  (I used a box that had had baby spinach, red and green chard and, Kale)
3 T. extra virgin olive oil
½ cup pasta water

Chicken:

2 ½ Boneless, Skinless Chicken thigh, cut into bite-size

¾ tsp Fresh ground pepper

¾ tsp Garlic Powder

¾ tsp Garlic Salt

¾ tsp Oregano

½ tsp dried crushed basil

¾ tsp Tajin (very mild chili powder with a hint of lime flavor) (Optional)

Mix the seasonings for the chicken and marinate the chicken. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Salt the water well, and add pasta. When that is done, reserve ½ cup of pasta water.

While the pasta is cooking, heat a large pan over med heat. Oil the pan and put some sliced of chicken into the pan. I like to cover the pan for the chicken to cook faster.  I made mines in three batches. When they are cooked, leave on a plate on the side.

 With the pot you used to cook the pasta (without the pasta), add oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper. Cook until the oil sizzles (about 7-10 minutes). Add lemon juice, half-and-half, and a ladle of the pasta water to the garlic oil mixture. Raise the heat to med-low to med heat until the sauce begins to bubble. Add the pasta, zest, and 1/2 c. Parmesan to the cream sauce. Toss for a minute or two. Add chicken and spinach, and toss until well distributed. Top with remaining cheese.

Enjoy!

I completed the dish with a Pillsbury biscuit. Was quite good!!

I think if I made it again, I would have rather add the lemon juice, half-and-half and the pasta water into the pepper garlic oil mixture, then the zest and cheese. I would have had that all mixed together well then add the pasta, greens and chicken.  You can follow the original recipe procedure first and then cater it to your liking. Have fun and enjoy!!