Saturday, January 27, 2018

QUICK & HEALTHY CHICKEN AND PASTA SKILLET DINNER #RECIPE BY AUTHOR DENISE SWANSON





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.

*


Friend Denise on Facebook
Follow Denise on Twitter
Follow Denise on Pinterest

Plus check out my website

3 comments:

  1. This looks great, Denise! I like your philosophy. Hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Looks like a real quick HIT!
    And my local Publix market had a special on Rotel tomatoes; I stocked up yesterday. Must have known your recipe was coming.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This looks good. I like the colors in the pan together.

    ReplyDelete