A fast spring pasta built around seasonal Washington produce for late March: asparagus, spinach, mushrooms, and lemon-garlic chicken in a light, silky pan sauce. It avoids your previous curry/braise/roast pattern and keeps the meal fresh and weeknight-friendly.
Details
Ingredients
- Boneless Skinless Chicken Thighs 1 lb 4.49
- Green Asparagus 1/2 lb, trimmed and cut in 2-inch pieces 5.99
- Spinach 1/2 bunch or about 3 cups loosely packed 2.69
- Kroger® Sliced White Mushrooms 8 oz 2.79
- Jumbo Yellow Onions 1/2 onion, thinly sliced 1.49
- Kroger® Fresh Diced Garlic 2 teaspoons 3.49
- Pompeii® Lemon Juice 1 1/2 tablespoons 2.50
- Parsley 2 tablespoons chopped 1.69
- FREE RANGE CHICKEN BROTH LOW SODIUM - SIMPLE TRUTH ORGANIC - 32 OZ 3/4 cup 1.67
- pantry pasta 6-8 oz long pasta or short pasta
- pantry olive oil 2 tablespoons
- pantry butter 1 tablespoon
- pantry grated parmesan 1/4 cup optional
- pantry salt to taste
- pantry black pepper to taste
- pantry red pepper flakes optional pinch
Instructions
- Bring a pot of well-salted water to a boil and cook 6 to 8 ounces pasta until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
- Slice 1 pound boneless skinless chicken thighs into bite-size strips. Season with salt and black pepper.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook 5 to 6 minutes until browned and cooked through. Transfer to a plate.
- Add the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil to the skillet. Add 1/2 thinly sliced yellow onion and 8 ounces mushrooms. Cook 4 to 5 minutes until softened and lightly browned.
- Add 2 teaspoons garlic and, if using, a pinch of red pepper flakes. Stir 30 seconds. Add 1/2 pound asparagus and cook 2 minutes.
- Pour in 3/4 cup chicken broth and 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice. Simmer 2 minutes. Add the spinach and stir until just wilted.
- Return the chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta, 1 tablespoon butter, and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss until glossy and lightly sauced.
- Turn off the heat and add parsley and optional parmesan. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, and lemon.
- Serve in shallow bowls with extra parsley on top.
Cook time: 35 minutes
Estimated cost: $11-14 plus pantry pasta
Health notes: Lean protein, lots of green vegetables, lighter sauce than cream-based pasta.
Drink pairing: Pinot Grigio or Sauvignon Blanc