Chicken Caesar Pasta!!!

So this recipe is one of our favorites. It is one of our go to dinners. AND it's super super easy and fast!! 

 

Here's what you'll need-

• Salt and pepper 
• 1 pound penne pasta
• A couple tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
• Anchovy paste to your liking (this is completely optional!!)
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire 
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
The juice of one lemon

• 1/4 cup canola or olive oil
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigano Reggiano
• 1/2 head romaine lettuce (or another lettuce you like) 

Start out by cutting up your boneless skinless chicken thighs. I can never find boneless skinless chicken thighs at my regular grocery store and I didn't feel like making a separate trip to another store so I had to get bone in and skin on. Which is fine bc it's super easy to peel the skin off and chop it up. You can even use chicken breast if you prefer white meat. 

I was probably a little shy of a pound of meat but that's ok I just had to work with what I had. 

I kept the skin and bones to stick in the freezer and use it to make chicken stock at a later time. 

Now brown up your chicken until its cooked all the way through. 

Now just set your chicken aside and start to cook your pasta. 

While your pasta is cooking make your sauce. 

In a separate bowl put your egg yolk, Dijon mustard and Worcestershire in a blender or a bowl. Add some salt and pepper. Grate in (or add) your parmesan cheese and grate in your garlic. Squeeze in the juice of one lemon. At this point I add anchovy paste. This is completely optional! Now blend this up. I used my immersion blender. (Quicker clean up) 

 I know the anchovy paste looks so appetizing!! :) but it sure is tasty!!! 

 Now stream in your canola or olive oil and blend at the same time. It will come out creamy looking. ( it will look like Caesar dressing )

Chop up your lettuce. I used spinach. Yum!

Before you drain your pasta save some of the water you cooked your pasta in. This will help loosen your sauce if its to thick when you stir it with your pasta. Just use your judgment. 

Now drain your pasta and add your chicken and sauce to it and combine for a minute or two. (Add your starchy cooking water if needed) 

At this point stir in your lettuce or spinach. I don't because my husband won't eat the lettuce in it so I add it to the bottom of my bowl and stir it up before I eat. 

This is such a fast and easy recipe with tons of flavor. If your looking for something new this is definitely it!!!