Easy and yummy!
- Carbohydrate 92.7802174377 g
- Cholesterol 269.103 mg
- Fat 30.20705464624 g
- Fiber 18.8524045939322 g
- Protein 81.37455793054 g
- Saturated Fat 11.352986932266 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (717g)
- Sodium 1895.19715816 mg
- Sugar 73.9278128437678 g
- Trans Fat 3.02556762053 g
- Calories 960 calories
Step-by-step
- Cook pasta per directions.
- Grill or bake chicken until done, cube.
- Toss all ingredients, except feta, warm in pan.....plate and sprinkle with feta.
Acidic components like marinated artichoke hearts chemically brighten heavy fats such as crumbled feta cheese by lowering the pH on the palate, preventing the dish from tasting overly greasy. When tossing cubed chicken breast and penne pasta with sliced black olives and red pepper flakes, the residual heat from the pan warms the brine and oils without overcooking the lean poultry protein.
Managing Temperature and Texture
Boneless, skinless chicken breast requires precise thermal management to stay tender, as it dries out quickly above 165 degrees Fahrenheit. Cook the pasta in a four-quart pot of heavily salted boiling water until it reaches an al dente bite, yielding slightly to pressure without mushiness. Drain the pasta thoroughly through a colander so excess starchy water does not dilute the marinade from the artichokes. Warm the chicken, pasta, bell pepper, olives, and artichoke hearts in a wide skillet over medium heat for precisely four minutes, stirring continuously to distribute the red pepper flakes evenly. Plate the warm mixture immediately and garnish with cold feta cheese, allowing the ambient heat to soften the edges of the cheese without melting it into a heavy paste.
- If the dish appears too dry after combining, add two tablespoons of reserved pasta cooking water to emulsify the oil and pan juices.
- For freezing, omit the feta cheese entirely because high-fat dairy separates into a grainy texture during thaw cycles.
- Store leftovers in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to three days, reheating portions gently on medium power in the microwave with a splash of water.
