Chicken Penne Pasta
Ingredients:
1 lb penne pasta
1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
1 can (14 oz) diced tomatoes, undrained
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup baby spinach leaves
1 cup heavy cream
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions:
Cook the Pasta:
Cook the penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Season and Cook Chicken:
Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Prepare the Sauce:
In the same skillet, add minced garlic, dried oregano, dried basil, and red pepper flakes (if using). Sauté for a minute until fragrant.
Add the diced tomatoes (with their juices) and cherry tomatoes. Simmer for 5-7 minutes, allowing the tomatoes to break down and the flavors to meld.
Stir in the heavy cream and grated Parmesan cheese. Cook until the sauce thickens slightly.
Combine Chicken and Pasta:
Return the cooked chicken to the skillet with the sauce. Add baby spinach leaves. Stir until the spinach wilts and the chicken is coated in the sauce.
Add Pasta:
Add the cooked penne pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated with the sauce.
Garnish and Serve:
Garnish with fresh basil or parsley.
Serve hot, with additional Parmesan on the side.