Lemon Angel Hair With Chicken and Spinach

This recipe's also from pinterest, originally from The Recipe Crayon Box. I adapted it slightly to our preferences and even my husband, who's not a big lemon fan, really enjoyed it! If you don't like a really strong lemony flavor, just cut back a little bit on the lemon juice and zest and the other flavors of the pasta will be just as delicious.

Lemon Angel Hair With Chicken and Spinach

1/2 lb angel hair pasta (about half of a box)

3 tbsp olive oil

4 cloves garlic, chopped

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper

2 lemons (you'll need the zest and the juice; if you zest 'em before you juice 'em, it's a lot easier!)

3/4 C half and half

1 C Parmesan cheese, shredded

1 C spinach (we added a bit more than that)

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cooked (try this with The Perfect Chicken recipe, it's FANTASTIC!)

1. Boil water, salt it well, and cook pasta. LEAVE COOKED PASTA IN IT'S OWN WATER UNTIL READY TO USE.
2. Heat a deep skillet on low and add oil, garlic, and pepper.
3. Cook until oil sizzles, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add the lemon juice, half and half, and a ladle of the pasta water.
5. Raise the heat to medium-low until sauce begins to bubble.
6. Drain the pasta, but don't rinse it.
7. Add pasta, lemon zest, and 1/2 C Parmesan cheese. On low heat, toss for 1-2 minutes.
8. Add spinach and cooked chicken chunks (we cut up the cooked breasts into bite-size chunks). Toss until mixed and top with remaining cheese.

A tip: once the sauce starts bubbling (step 5), try to move quickly... if you let the mixture stay on the heat too long (i.e. if you take too much time adding ingredients, tossing, etc.), it bubbles away pretty fast and you end up with a stickier finished product. Ours came out a little sticky and was still very delicious, but I think it'd taste better if it was just a little bit more moist.

Enjoy!

The Perfect Chicken

This chicken recipe makes THE BEST, most delicious chicken ever! It's great for any recipe that calls for shredded, chopped, or whole chicken. The flavor is just amazing, I guess because you cook it a little on the stove before baking it for awhile, so the juice gets locked in. It comes out tasting fantastic and still juicy! I found it on pinterest, originally from The Recipe Crayon Box.

The Perfect Chicken

3/4 tsp salt

3/4 tsp pepper

3/4 tsp garlic powder

3/4 tsp onion powder
3/4 tsp paprika
2-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2-3 tbsp olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 350°. Mix spices in a small bowl.
2. Coat chicken breasts in seasoning and rub in.
3. Heat olive oil over medium-high heat in frying pan.
4. When oil is very hot, place seasoned chicken in pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side. It should turn nicely golden brown.
5. Transfer chicken to casserole dish, cover, and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until juices run clear.
6. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 5-10 minutes before shredding, chopping, etc.

(Try this recipe with the Lemon Angel Hair With Chicken and Spinach recipe!)

That's it! It's super simple and delectable, and if you don't overcook it, is juicy and perfect for any meal that calls for chicken! Enjoy!