Foodie Blogroll

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Mediterranean Chicken and Pasta


I do like finding more ways to use chicken, it seems to be a big part of out weekly meals. It also works so well for leftovers and lunches. If I fix beef it is usually steaks, weather it is skirt steak prepared on the stove top in a hot cast iron skillet or grill pan...quick but messy...or a nice rib eye or porterhouse on the grill...which I am the one that mans the grill! So I hope you won't get tired of chicken recipes. We usually eat many vegetarian dishes too, but not intentionally we just like it. I am lucky that my family is pretty much receptive to anything that I make or "try out" on them.

This one is not that unusual, so I hope you all like it!

Ingredients:
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
4 chicken breasts
1/4 cup flour
3 tablespoons sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1 small onion or shallot chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
8 oz asparagus cut into 2" pieces
1 teaspoon Turkish oregano*
1 teaspoons basil, more if using fresh
2 tablespoons parsley
2 tablespoons white wine
1/4 cup cream
salt and pepper to taste
8 oz angel hair pasta

Directions:
Boil water for pasta in a pasta pot, fitted with a strainer. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cut the chicken into strips or pieces and in a zip-lock plastic bag place the chicken with the flour seasoned with salt and pepper, shake it to coat the chicken. Brown chicken strips until no longer pink -- about 3 minutes each side. (If you have already cooked chicke you can shred it or dice it and add it to the dish that way). Add sun-dried tomatoes, onion, garlic, and asparagus to skillet. Saute for 2 minutes. In the meantime, add the fresh pasta to boiling water, cook until al dente, about 5 minutes.

Now add the wine, oregano, basil and parsley to the skillet. Saute 1 minute then stir in the cream. You can use some pasta water if you would like more liquid in the sauce. Strain the pasta and transfer to a large pasta bowl. Add the chicken saute to the pasta and toss. Season with oregano, salt and pepper before serving

*edited to add some links to Turkish Oregano


I added it all to the pan together, cooked it until the sauce was the right thickness to my liking.

The asparagus was added just because that is what I had. You can add artichoke hearts, and kalamata olives and even feta cheese if you prefer. I added already cooked chicken this time.

It might of been prettier if I place the pasta in a bowl and laid the chicken and sauce over the top, but this is fine for family. A nice, tasty, pretty quick meal!


You know I have to sneak a beach picture in here:


When the sea birds hang out at the beach at sunset they usually all face the same way...aaah one oddball :)

35 comments:

  1. It looks very very tasty! Love green asparagus a lot.

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  2. I bet that tastes really good. Yum yum. Diane

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  3. Un plat plein de goût et de saveurs. J'aime beaucoup.
    See soon.

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  4. Chicken, asparagus and pasta; sounds pretty good to me.
    Rita

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  5. sounds delicious, i shld try cooking something like these too!

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  6. Love this combination and the pasta looks very delicious!

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  7. This does look like a delicious pasta dish. Also looking at the ingredients I am wondering about the Turkish oregano, I have never see that spice. You did bring together some very complimentary elements in this-yum!
    Cool picture of the sea birds!

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    1. Hi Tina, I picked up the Turkish oregano at Penzey's Spices. It is a real nice herb, I first learned about it at Bo's Bowl and am glad I did I really like it. You could use regular oregano of course. I also have Mexican oregano that I use in Mexican dishes. They all taste a little different.

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  8. I adore combining pasta with vegetables - and proteins - all in one dish. Soothing and satisfying. I have an oregano bush - which I use for everything. It should be making its appearance in... April. Meanwhile, shall scout around for Turkish oregano - sounds interesting.

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  9. Such a simple but delicious looking dish Lyndsey! I love the look of this and would love to try and make it for myself. Thanks for sharing. You have a great blog and I'm glad to have found you!

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  10. I love chicken recipes - one can never have too many! Love the mediterranean flavours - these days oregano is on my must add to sauces....as well as Hebes de Provence. Take care

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    1. Oz, yes I love Herbes de Provence too, and marjoram I use it a lot.

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  11. This looks delicious, Lyndsey! I love that it includes asparagus and a great mix of spices. Tina asked what I was wondering about--the Turkish oregano. I've looked at Penzy's Spices and will have to go back and get this one. You're killing me with these beach pics! Love, love them and want to be right there, even with the oddball!

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    1. Thanks Pam, I am thrilled we finally got a Penzey's Spices in Sarasota, it opened in Aug. I can't resist on adding the beach pics :)

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  12. Great combination of ingredients! I love chicken and this dish sounds amazing!

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  13. Incredible yumminess! And not for the first time, you've posted a recipe that reflects just what I have on hand and need to cook! What a pleasure this looks like, drooling!

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    1. Jenn, ditto! I say the same thing about many of your posts. Then others I want to go out and find the ingredients so I can make what you and Jamison do! Thanks! :)

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  14. Lyndsey, what is the difference between Turkish oregano and the oregano? I am sure this is a flavorful pasta, so many wonderful spices used.

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    1. Veron, I added a link to the spice shop where I got my Turkish oregano. I guess it is usually Greek or Turkish acording to them. I think it's a little mellow and sweet? I also have Mexican oregano which is stronger and I use it in my Latin dishes.

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  15. I love the sound of those mediterranean flavors! I bet the dish would be delicious even without the meat!

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    1. Yes of course it would be great without meat Joanne! :) I love it that you still visit and comment even on my meat dishes! lol!

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  16. That sauce - holy cow it looks amazing!

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  17. Great combo and looks awesome! Beautiful photo of the bird!

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  18. I cook more chicken than anything...I'm going to cook this or at least a version of this this week...I'll let you know how it turns out.

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  19. Oh how much pasta did you use? I don't see it in the ingredients.

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    1. Bo I think I used 8oz pasta...do you measure? ;) I usually eyeball it and make a little less pasta for my family (just the three of us) unless my husband is running a half marathon :) then adjust amounts depending how much liquid you like.

      I thought about it later after I posted it if I remembered to put the pasta in the igredients. :D thanks...hope it turns out for you!

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  20. I did not know that there are different types of Oregano (Turkish, Mexican etc). I learned something new today! I love sun dried tomatoes in pasta and so happy to see that in your ingredients. Looks wonderful - definitely great week day dinner!

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  21. What a delicious combo of flavors! Everything I love. I'm laughing at those birds! There's always one who stands out from the pack and has to be different.

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  22. I really like such a dish with veggies, proteins, carbs combined in one and in such a delicious way.

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  23. looks great have fun with your family and love the miso chicken below

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  24. Lyndsey - this looks so yummy! I love asparagus. I didn't know about the different types of oregano either. I need an indoor herb garden. It's snowing here now. Your beach pics are always beautiful. :)

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  25. All the ingredients in this dish sounds wonderful! I am glad too that my hubby and boys are pretty receptive to all the dishes I try out on them :)

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  26. I'm so behind in my commenting, but did not want to miss letting you know how much I love your creative pasta dish with the yummy, creamy, and comforting sauce. My favorite way to enjoy a nice dish of pasta, is to find what you have and just make it your own. No wonder your family loves this...what time do you serve dinner? I will just have to pop in one evening...lol

    We have so many sea birds here in South Fl. as well, but never observed them at sunset, only to see them piled up in one spot during the day. Cute "oddball" bird...there's always one in a group...that would be me!

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