Hi everyone! As I mentioned in my debut post, my cooking philosophy is HIT—Healthy, Inexpensive, but above all, Tasty. For today’s recipe, I’m adding Quick. Therefore, I'm offering you a recipe that is healthy (under 500 calories a serving), Inexpensive, (under $3.00 a serving) and Quick (Under 35 minutes to prepare). And I guarantee it is very tasty!
QUICK & HEALTHY CHICKEN
AND PASTA SKILLET DINNER
Serves 4
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cut
into bite-sized pieces
1 cup chopped onion
1 Tablespoon minced garlic (less if you don’t like it too
garlicky)
8 cups water
12 ounces uncooked gemelli (or other small pasta)
2 cans of tomatoes
and chilies (I use Rotel mild, but if you like Spicer go for it)
6 oz no-salt-added tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 cups baby spinach leaves (I use the whole package)
Parmesan (optional)
Bring 8 cups
water to a boil in a large saucepan. Add pasta; cook 8 minutes or until pasta is
al dente. Drain in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/4 cup cooking liquid.
Meanwhile, Heat
a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, onions, and
garlic. Sauté 6 minutes (or until no pink remains), turning to brown all sides.
Remove chicken from pan; keep warm.
Add reserved
cooking liquid, tomato/chilies, tomato paste, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and peppers to
skillet; cook over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add chicken, pasta, and spinach
leaves, stirring until spinach wilts. Remove from heat; sprinkle with cheese.
Here's a bit about my upcoming book: Tart of Darkness.
Right when Dani thinks she's hit a dead-end in her career, she
unexpectedly inherits an enormous old house in a quaint college town. This
gives her the perfect opportunity to pursue her true passion—cooking! So Dani
opens Chef-to-Go, preparing delicious, ready-made meals for hungry students
attending the nearby university, as well as providing personal chef services
and catering events for the local community. To help support her new business,
she opens her home to a few students, renting them rooms and becoming almost
like a big sister figure in their lives.
But just as Dani is relishing her sweet new life, the friend of
one of her boarders is murdered, and Dani becomes one of the primary suspects!
She'll have to scramble to clear her name and save her business before the
killer reappears—perhaps to silence the new chef forever.
*
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This looks great, Denise! I like your philosophy. Hugs.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a real quick HIT!
ReplyDeleteAnd my local Publix market had a special on Rotel tomatoes; I stocked up yesterday. Must have known your recipe was coming.
This looks good. I like the colors in the pan together.
ReplyDelete