Olive Oil Pasta with Chicken and Broccoli

Here is another delicious creation by my hubby.  This recipe is great with either spaghetti or penne noodles!

Ingredients:

1 large chicken breast
8 oz whole grain pasta
16 oz fresh or frozen broccoli
3 cloves of garlic
1/2 to 1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp parsley
pinch of oregano
1/3 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup pasta water
black pepper and salt to taste
Freshly grated Parmesan

Directions:

Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat, then salt it generously. Add the pasta and cook, stirring occasionally until tender. Mince garlic in garlic press. We grill our chicken on our George Foreman grill.  Plug in grill so it can heat up.

While the pasta cooks, combine the garlic, olive oil, parsley, oregano, and red pepper flakes in a large skillet and warm over low heat, stirring occasionally, until the garlic softens and turns golden, about 8 minutes.  Don't overcook or the garlic will get an undesired flavor.  When grill is ready place chicken on the grill until fully cooked.  Dice up grilled chicken.

Drain the pasta in a colander set in the sink, reserving about a 1/4 cup of the cooking water. Add the garlic mixture to the water in the pasta bowl.  Add the drained pasta to those ingredients and mix well. Mix in the diced up chicken and adjust seasoning to taste. Transfer to a large serving bowl if desired.  Top with freshly grated parmesan when serving.

Chicken Parm Baked Ziti

A combination of chicken parmesan and baked ziti that is sure to thrill any Italian food lover!


Ingredients:

2 chicken breasts

1 cup plain bread crumbs

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 cloves of garlic

1/2 tsp garlic powder 

1/4 tsp ground black pepper 

1 egg 1/4 cup milk 

2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 

1 jar spaghetti sauce 

2/3 lb ziti 

1/2 grated parmesan cheese 

1 cup mozzarella cheese

Directions:

Mix bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, garlic powder, and pepper. In a small bowl, mix egg and milk. Cut chicken tenders into 1.5 inch cubes. Dip chicken cubes in egg/milk mixture, and then roll in bread crumb mixture.
Saute garlic cloves in olive oil over medium heat. Pan fry chicken pieces until browned, approx. 4 minutes on both side.
While chicken is cooking, prepare ziti per package directions until al dente.
When chicken is done, remove from heat and let sit on a paper towel.
When ziti is done cooking, drain and pour into greased (Pam) 9x14 pan. Pour spagetti sauce over pasta, and sprinkle with 1/2 cup parmesan cheese.
Arrange chicken in single layer over pasta. Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over chicken, and bake in oven for 25 minutes at 350 degrees or until heated through and cheese melted.