Two-Cheese Penne with Chicken and Spinach

By jeknudson

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked quick-cooking penne (such as Ronzoni)
• Cooking spray
• 12 ounces skinless, boneless chicken cutlets
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 7 ounces fresh spinach
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 ounces fresh pecorino Romano cheese, shredded (about 1/2 cup)
• 2 ounces 1/3-less-fat cream cheese (about 1/4 cup)

Details

Servings 4
Adapted from myrecipes.com

Preparation

Step 1

1. Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1/4 cup pasta cooking water.

2. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Coat pan with cooking spray. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or just until done. Remove chicken from pan; thinly slice across grain.

3. Return pan to medium heat. Add oil; swirl to coat. Add spinach, red pepper, and garlic; cook 3 minutes or until spinach wilts. Add cooked pasta, reserved pasta cooking water, chicken, lemon juice, and cheeses to pan; toss to coat. Cook 1 minute or until cheeses melt. Serve immediately.