Chicken, Spinach, and Pasta

Submitted by Andi Longmeadow Farm

"As "Daisy Mae", (one of our mother cow's) ran beside me on the other side of the fence, softly reminding that I needed to get her fresh grain, I looked at her very sweet face, the twinkle in her eye, and was doubly reminded I also need to get home, and swiftly too. I needed to get some type of great tasting chow on the table to feed the family as they were about to start streaming in through the back door at any moment. A wonderful, simple treat of a dish to enjoy sitting down next to your dog or cat, and just letting this dish take you away from the worry and stress of the world."

 

• Ready In: 30mins
• Ingredients: 10
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 24 ounces boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1⁄8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (can use more or not at all)
• 1⁄4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1⁄8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 bunch fresh spinach (can use frozen)
• 1 cup penne pasta (cooked)

directions

1. Heat oven to 400°F.
2. Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Rub the chicken with the cumin, cayenne, and salt. Toss in skillet and cook until browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Transfer to a baking sheet and roast until cooked through, 6 to 7 minutes.
4. While skillet is warmed add medium heat and add the remaining tablespoon of oil. Add the onion and bell pepper and cook, stirring, until soft, 5 minutes.
5. If frozen cook spinach in microwave till warmed. If fresh add spinach directly to the skillet along with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, tossing, until just tender, 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Add pasta in with vegetables warming them, and you can either toss the chicken in with this, or serve the chicken separately.

Reviews

[AZPARZYCH]

This was very good and not bad for you at all! I didn't use olive oil, just sprayed the pan with cooking spray. I used an orange pepper since that was all that I had left and seasoned the chicken with fresh-cracked pepper rather than the cayenne. The chicken came out so juice and flavorful and not at all over cooked, went well with the pasta and veggies and I didn't miss any sort of cream sauce on the pasta. Will be making this again! Made for Spring PAC 2013.

 

[Chef1MOM-Connie]

I enjoyed this recipe and the meal it made very much. DH thought it was good. It did seem like it was lacking some "something". I will make this again as the flavors with the pasta reminded me of a warmed summer pasta salad, fresh on the tongue. I think next time and there will be a next time, I will add some garlic or lemon, or something to it while cooking the veggies. The chicken was wonderful and I do have some left to make a nice lunch plate for tomorrow. Made for AUS/NZ Swap 48. Thank you ANDI!

 

[stgmngrjan]

Great, easy, healthy. With so little seasoning, the flavors of the food are highlighted. I added more spinach and pasta, and added grape tomatoes, cut in half, after adding the spinach. I cut up the chicken and mixed it with everything. It was very good the next day, too. Thanks, Jan

 

[Savvy Sewlal]

5 stars for a healthy meal that doesn't sacrifice on flavor. I confess that the write-up is what had me look at this recipe above the others that came up on my search. I used 1 lb. pasta to feed my family of 6 and added a can of mushrooms and a clove of garlic. I also cooked the chicken breasts in a covered frying pan instead of the oven. I was looking for a creamy pasta sauce using spinach and this definitely isn't creamy, but is delicious! Thanks for posting.

 

[blancpage]

Bf said this looked good and asked me what it was. He took a bite and said, "Hmm, pretty good." Then he took more bites and said, "Mm, this IS good!" My chicken breasts weren't large, but they did take an extra 6 mins after the original 7 mins. I followed this recipe exactly, using prepacked baby spinach and more penne. I had some leftover regular penne and cooked up some whole wheat penne too. The chicken was flavorful, tender and went so well with the rest. The combo of spinach, red onion and red pepper was awesome with the penne. Colorful and healthy dish! I served the chicken sliced on top of the penne mixture. Bf wanted more chicken! Made for Please Review My Recipe tag game. Thank you for sharing Andi, this was wonderful and I will make it again for sure! :D