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Blackened Chicken Penne

Blackened Chicken Penne

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with Charred Green Pepper & Monterey Jack

Yield: 2

Adapted from: Hello Fresh

This pasta may break the rules, but it does so deliciously: Instead of going the traditional Italian route, our chefs opted to mix things up with a jumble of Southwestern flavors. The chicken is seasoned with blackening spices and tossed in the pan until perfectly smoky and savory. Green pepper and diced tomato add texture and more unconventional flair, while the Monterey Jack cheese sauce brings supreme creaminess to the penne.
Prep: 10 Cook: 15

  • 1long green pepper
  • 1tomato
  • 6oz penne pasta
  • 1oz chicken stock concentrate
  • 2scallions
  • 1clove garlic
  • 10oz chopped chicken breast
  • 1TBS blackening spice blend (see below)
  • 4TBS cream cheese
  • ¼cup Monterey jack cheese
  • 1tsp hot sauce
  • salt & pepper
  • olive oil
  • butter


Prep:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce.

Core, deseed, and dice green pepper into ½-inch pieces. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens. Peel and thinly slice garlic. Finely chop tomato.

Season chicken:

In a large bowl, combine a large drizzle of olive oil, Blackening Spice, and a few big pinches of salt.

Pat chicken dry with paper towels, add to bowl and turn to coat.

Cook pasta:

Once water is boiling, add penne to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes.

Reserve ½ cup pasta cooking water, then drain and set aside.

Cook veggies & chicken:

While pasta cooks, heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium high heat. Add green pepper and a pinch of salt. Cook, without stirring, until lightly charred, 3- to 4-minutes.

Add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned and cooked through, 4- to 6-minutes.

Stir in scallion whites and garlic. Cook until fragrant, 1 minute.

Stir in half the tomato and a pinch of salt. Reduce heat to medium low.

Toss pasta:

Stir in cream cheese and ⅓ cup reserved pasta cooking water.

Add drained penne and cook, stirring, until thoroughly combined, 1- to 2-minutes. Turn off heat.

Add Monterey Jack, stock concentrate, 2 TBS butter, and as much hot sauce as you like, stir until butter melts. Season with salt and pepper.

Tip: If needed, stir in more reserved cooking water a splash at a time until pasta is coated in a creamy sauce.

Serve:

Divide pasta between bowls or plates. Garnish with scallion greens and remaining tomato. Drizzle with any remaining hot sauce if desired and serve.

Blackening Spice Blend

2 TBS

  • 3tsp smoked paprika
  • 1½tsp garlic powder
  • ½tsp white pepper
  • ½tsp black pepper
  • ¼tsp thyme
  • ¼tsp oregano
  • ⅛tsp low heat cayenne

Chili’s Cajun Pasta CC

Chili’s Cajun Pasta CC

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Yield: 2

Heavily adapted from the Recipe Critic

A Chili’s favorite. Their new Ultimate version has grilled chicken, shrimp, penne in Alfredo sauce, topped with chili spices, shredded Parmesan, tomatoes, green onions. Served with garlic toast.

  • 1boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 1221-25 shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1tsp Cajun seasoning, divided (recipe follows)
  • 2TBS butter
  • 1TBS cooking oil
  • 1½cups heavy cream
  • ¼tsp lemon pepper seasoning
  • ½tsp salt
  • ½tsp black pepper
  • ¼tsp garlic powder
  • 6oz penne pasta
  • 1Roma tomato, seeded and diced
  • ¼cup parmesan cheese fresh shredded, to taste
  • 1green onions, cut into ¼-inch lengths

Pasta:

Bring one gallon of water to boil in a large pot. Add 1 TBS salt and penne. Cook until just al dente, a minute or two less than manufacturer’s directions. Drain and set aside.

Chicken:

Slice the chicken into bite sized pieces about 1/4-inch thick. Put the chicken in a large resealable bag. Add half of the Cajun seasoning and shake to coat thoroughly.

In a large skillet, melt the ½ TBS of butter ½ TBS oil over medium heat. Add the chicken and turn when needed. Make sure to check with a knife to make sure it is no longer pink. Remove to a cutting board. Wipe out pan.

Shrimp:

Season the shrimp with remaining Cajun seasoning. Toss to mix. In the same pan used for the chicken, heat ½ TBS oil and add shrimp. Sauté until almost done.

Sauce:

In the large pan used for the pasta, combine the heavy cream, 1 TBS butter, lemon pepper, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. When the cream mixture just starts to bubble, add the pasta, mix and cook until the pasta is done. Remove from pan from heat.

Assembly and finish:

Add the chicken, shrimp, and diced tomato into the pasta. Mix well to combine.

Transfer to a serving dish and top, green onions and parmesan.

Serve with a side of Texas garlic toast.

Tips:

Thicken or thin the sauce if necessary.

Cajun Seasoning

Yield: 1 PKT, 4½ tsp

1½ tsp paprika
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp dried oregano
½ tsp dried thyme
¼ tsp cayenne
½ tsp salt

Shrimp Pasta Primavera

Shrimp Pasta Primavera

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with Lemon Parm Sauce, Bell Pepper, Zucchini & Peas

Yield: 2

Al dente penne pasta, green peas, and roasted bell pepper and zucchini, all tossed in a creamy sauce that’s seasoned with lemon juice and aromatic with Italian herbs, then showered with grated Parmesan.
Prep: 10 Cook: 30

  • 1red bell pepper
  • 1lemon
  • 4oz cream sauce base
  • 4oz peas
  • 1zucchini
  • 2scallions
  • 10oz shrimp or chicken
  • 6oz penne pasta
  • 1TBS Tuscan heat spice (see below)
  • 2TBS crème fraîche
  • 1veggie stock concentrate
  • 3TBS parmesan cheese
  • salt & pepper
  • 1tsp olive oil
  • 1tsp cooking oil
  • 1TBS butter

Prep:

Adjust rack to top position and preheat oven to 450°F. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce.

Halve, core, and thinly slice bell pepper. Trim and halve zucchini lengthwise, slice crosswise into ½-inch-thick half-moons. Trim and thinly slice scallions, separating whites from greens. Zest and quarter lemon.

Roast veggies:

Toss bell pepper and zucchini on a baking sheet with a drizzle of oil, salt, and pepper. Roast on top rack until tender and lightly charred, 15-18 minutes. While veggies roast, rinse shrimp under cold water. Pat shrimp or chicken dry with paper towels, season with salt and pepper. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add shrimp or chicken in a single layer, cook, stirring occasionally, until cooked through, 3- to 5-minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Cook pasta:

Once water is boiling, add penne to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes.

Reserve 1½ cups pasta cooking water, then drain.

Make sauce:

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in pot used for pasta over medium heat. Add scallion whites and 1 tsp Tuscan Heat Spice, cook, stirring, 1 minute.

Whisk in cream sauce base, stock concentrate, and ¼ cup reserved pasta cooking water. Cook, whisking, until slightly thickened, 2- to 3-minutes.

Reduce heat to medium low and whisk in crème fraîche until smooth.

Toss pasta:

Add drained penne, peas, half the Parmesan (save the rest for serving), half the lemon zest, 1 TBS butter, and a big squeeze of lemon juice to pot with sauce. Cook, stirring, until butter has melted and penne is coated in a creamy sauce.

Tip: If needed, stir in more reserved pasta cooking water a splash at a time.

Stir in roasted veggies. Taste and season with salt and pepper. Add more lemon zest or lemon juice if you like. Stir in shrimp or chicken along with roasted veggies.

Tip: For an extra-rich experience, stir in another 1 TBS butter.

Serve:

Divide pasta between plates or shallow bowls. Top with scallion greens and remaining Parmesan. Serve with any remaining lemon wedges on the side.

Tuscan Heat Spice

Makes 1 TBS

  • 1tsp dried basil
  • 1/2tsp dried rosemary
  • 1/2tsp dried oregano
  • 1/2tsp garlic powder
  • 1/4tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1/4tsp ground fennel
Pork Penne with Oranges & Walnuts

Pork Penne with Oranges & Walnuts

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Yield: 4 Servings

Adapted from: Cuisine at Home

Pork and orange might sound like an unlikely combination in a pasta dish, but the savory flavor and bursts of fresh orange really intrigue the taste buds in this easy weeknight dinner recipe.

Pasta:

  • 8oz penne

Pork & mushrooms:

  • 6TBS olive oil, divided
  • 12oz pork tenderloin, trimmed, cubed, and seasoned with salt and black pepper
  • 8oz sliced cremini mushrooms
  • ¾cup sliced red onion
  • 1TBS minced fresh garlic

Dressing:

  • ¼cup each fresh lemon and orange juice
  • 1tsp minced orange zest
  • 1cup fresh orange segments
  • ½cup chopped fresh parsley
  • ½cup chopped walnuts, toasted
  • shaved Parmesan (optional)

Pasta:

Cook penne in a pot of boiling salted water according to package directions; drain.

Heat 1 TBS oil in a sauté pan over medium-high.

Pork:

Add pork and sauté until browned and reaches 140, 5–6 minutes, transfer to a plate.

Mushrooms:

Heat 1 TBS oil in the same pan.

Add mushrooms and onion and sauté until mushrooms release their moisture and onion softens, 7–9 minutes.

Add garlic; cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.

Finish:

Return and stir in pork and penne to heat through.

Whisk together remaining 4 TBS oil, lemon juice, orange juice, and zest; season with salt and pepper.

Toss dressing with penne mixture; stir in oranges, parsley, and walnuts.

Top servings with Parmesan.

Silky Sicilian Penne with Chicken

Silky Sicilian Penne with Chicken

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Mushrooms, Zucchini & Tomatoes

Yield: 2

Silky Penne with a rich mushroom stock, a lemony, chive-flecked crème fraîche sauce, zucchini, chicken and tomatoes, and a sprinkling of Parmesan cheese.
Prep: 5 Cook: 30

  • 1zucchini
  • ¼oz chives or scallions
  • 10oz chicken breast
  • 1TBS Italian seasoning
  • 3TBS Parmesan cheese
  • 4oz button mushrooms
  • 4oz grape tomatoes
  • 1lemon
  • 6oz penne pasta (or Cavatappi)
  • 1oz mushroom stock concentrate
  • 4TBS crème fraîche (or sour cream)
  • salt & pepper
  • 1TBS olive oil
  • 1tsp cooking oil
  • 1½TBS butter

Prep:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Wash and dry produce.

Trim and quarter zucchini lengthwise, cut crosswise into ½-inch-thick pieces. Trim and thinly slice mushrooms. Halve tomatoes. Mince chives or scallions. Quarter lemon. Cut chicken into ¼-inch-thick bite sized slices.

Cook zucchini:

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add zucchini, season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until golden-brown and softened, 4- to 6-minutes.

Cook mushrooms:

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in pan used for zucchini over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden-brown and slightly crispy, 5- to 7-minutes.

Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl with zucchini. Wash out pan.

Cook chicken:

Heat a drizzle of olive oil in pan used for mushrooms over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden-brown and cooked through 5- to 7-minutes.

Turn off heat, season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowl with mushrooms and zucchini. Wipe out pan.

Cook pasta:

Once water is boiling, add penne to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until al dente, 9-11 minutes.

Reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water, then drain.

Make sauce: 

While penne cooks, heat ½ TBS butter and a drizzle of olive oil in pan used for chicken over medium-high heat. Add tomatoes and season with 1 tsp Italian Seasoning, salt, and pepper.  Cook, stirring, until tomatoes are softened, 2- to 4-minutes.

Stir in half the chives and juice from half the lemon.

Reduce heat to low, then stir in stock concentrate and ¼ cup reserved pasta cooking water.

Whisk in crème fraîche, season with salt and pepper.

Finish & serve:

Add zucchini, mushrooms, chicken, and drained penne to pan with sauce, stir to combine. Stir in 1 TBS butter until melted.

Tip: If needed, stir in more pasta cooking water a splash at a time until pasta is coated in a creamy sauce.

Divide pasta between bowls. Sprinkle with Parmesan and remaining chives. Serve with remaining lemon wedges on the side.

Chicken Penne Pesto

Chicken Penne Pesto

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Yield: 4 Servings
Adapted from Facebook – @SlowCookerRecipeTips · Kitchen/Cooking

Originally for slow cooker, I converted this for stove top and deleted the sun-dried tomatoes. Seemed like too many different flavors.

  • 12oz penne pasta
  • 1TBS vegetable oil
  • 1lb chicken fillet thighs, diced
  • 5large shallots sliced
  • 4slices short cut bacon finely diced
  • 1tsp minced garlic
  • 10oz cooking cream
  • 114 oz can cream of chicken soup
  • 6oz jar basil pesto
  • 1cup baby spinach leaves (1 oz)
  • 1cup grated cheese (optional)
  • ½cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt & pepper as needed.

Pasta: Boil pasta until just beginning to soften, drain and cool under cold water.

Sauté: Add oil to a 12” sauté pan over medium high heat. Add and cook diced bacon until almost crispy.

Reduce heat to medium and add shallots, garlic and chicken and sauté over medium heat until the chicken is lightly browned, about 5 minutes.

Add cream of chicken soup, pesto, cream, cover and cook for 5 to 10 minutes until chicken is cooked through.

Finish: Add pasta to sauté pan and cook for a few minutes to finish pasta.

Stir in baby spinach leaves and cook until just wilted.

If using, layer with cheese. Cook on low until cheese has melted. 1 to 3 minutes.

Taste and adjust seasonings.