How to make Chicken Mozzarella Pasta
Ingredients:
2 whole Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts, Cut Into Small Bite-sized Pieces
1 pound Penne Or Rigatoni
2 tablespoons Olive Oil, Plus More For Drizzling
2 tablespoons Minced Fresh Parsley
1 whole Large Onion, Finely Diced
1 jar (25 oz.) Good Quality Marinara Sauce
2 cloves Garlic, Minced
1/2 teaspoon Crushed Red Pepper Flakes (more To Taste)
1/2 cup Water
8 ounces weight Fresh Mozzarella, Cut Into Medium Cubes
1/4 cup Parmesan Shavings
Salt And Pepper
12 whole Basil Leaves (chiffonade)
Extra Parmesan, For Serving
Instructions:
Following the package directions, cook the pasta.
In a big skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Once hot, add the chicken pieces in one layer and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes without stirring until the chicken pieces are golden. Then, stir and cook until all sides are browned. To a plate, move the browned chicken.
Sauté the onions and garlic in the now-empty skillet for about 2 to 3 minutes until the onions are deeply golden.
Adjust the heat to low, then add the marinara sauce, red pepper flakes, and water. Stir well. Return the chicken to the pan. Stir in the parsley and let everything simmer for about 7 to 8 minutes, stirring often.
Once the sauce is bubbly and very hot, gently stir in the mozzarella. Allow it to sit for 2 to 3 minutes, undisturbed until the mozzarella is very soft.
Into a platter, transfer the cooked and drained pasta. On top, drizzle a little olive oil and quickly sprinkle with 1/4 c. Parmesan shavings or grated Parmesan. Add the sauce on top and garnish with more Parmesan and basil. Serve right away. Enjoy!
Notes:
Make sure the mozzarella is very soft but still has visible chunks. I think it’s better to have firm chunks of mozzarella instead. Anyway, you can heat it a little more to get your preferred cheese consistency.
How To Make it Gluten-free:
Use gluten-free pasta such as Barilla.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 435 | Sugar: 3.9 g | Sodium: 814.6 mg | Fat: 9.4 g | Carbohydrates: 61.3 g | Protein: 25.9 g | Cholesterol: 16.1 mg