Sausage Florentine Pasta

The Pioneer Woman had a recipe for Chicken Florentine Pasta. I had sausage on hand so I substituted it. I think this dish would be better with the chicken. The sausage, while flavorful, wasn't the right flavor for this dish.

Chicken Florentine
(the Pioneer Woman)

1 pound penne

Salt

4 whole boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-size chunks

Ground pepper

2 Tbs butter

2 Tbs olive oil

4 cloves garlic, minced

3/4 cup low-sodium broth, more if needed

3/4 cup dry white wine

1 bag baby spinach

2 cups grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise

4 ounces Parmesan, shaved with a vegetable peeler, plus more for serving

Cook the pasta according to package directions in lightly salted water. Drain and set aside.

Sprinkle the chicken with salt and pepper. Heat the butter and olive oil over high heat in a large skillet. Add the chicken chunks in a single layer and do not stir for a minute or two in order to allow the chicken to brown on the first side. Flip the chicken and brown on the other side. Cook until done, and then remove the chicken from the skillet.

Turn the heat to medium. Add the garlic and quickly stir to avoid burning. After about 30 seconds, pour in the broth and wine, stirring to deglaze the skillet. Allow the liquid to bubble up, and then continue cooking until it's reduced by at least half (most of the surface of the liquid should be bubbling at this point).

Turn off the heat. Add the spinach, tomatoes, chicken, cooked pasta and Parmesan shavings to the skillet. Toss to combine; the spinach will wilt as you toss everything.

Add more Parmesan shavings and serve immediately! Serve with extra Parmesan shavings.

2015 04 06