Mediterranean Creamy Taco Chicken Penne

Mediterranean Creamy Taco Chicken Penne is a delicious creamy pasta dish.The chicken penne is best to enjoy for lunch or family dinner. The pasta is made with tender chicken, penne pasta, and a flavorful homemade sauce with some taco-style spices. It also contains  Mediterranean ingredients like olive oil and garlic. You can store it for a long time in a container so the taste and texture will not get spoiled. The pasta is ready in 40 minutes, so you can easily make it. Per serving, it contains 550 kcal,42 g protein, and 45 g net carbs. Mediterranean Creamy Taco Chicken Penne can be best served with steamed broccoli and Mediterranean chickpea salad. and grilled vegetables.

STATS:

• Serving size: 1 bowl
• Calories: 520 kcal
• Cooking  time: 25 minutes
• Cuisine: Mediterranean
• Preparation time: 15 minutes
• Total time: 40 minutes
• Course: Main Course
• Diet: Mediterranean
• Serving: 4 servings

EQUIPMENT:

• Pot
• Skillet
• Colander
• Cutting board
• Knife
• Measuring cups & spoons
• Wooden spoon

INGREDIENTS:

PASTA:

• 12 oz penne pasta
• Water
• Half tsp salt

CHICKEN:

• 2 medium chicken breasts
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1tsp paprika
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• Half tsp chili powder
• Half tsp garlic powder
• Half tsp dried oregano
• Salt and black pepper

CREAMY MEDITERRANEAN SAUCE:

• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• Half cup milk
• 2 mined  garlic cloves
• Half cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Half cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Half  cup diced tomatoes
• Halt tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

GARNISHING:

• Red pepper flakes
• Fresh parsley
• Parmesan cheese

INGREDIENT NOTES:

PENNA PASTA:

• The penne pasta will hold the creamy sauce well and give you a delicious taste. Whole-wheat penne is a good Mediterranean alternative. It works well in the recipe and gives you a good taste, as per your choice.

CHICKEN BREAST:

• Chicken breast is a cut of chicken. It is high in protein and adds an extra mild flavor to the recipe. Skinless chicken tenderloins and Turkey breast are a good substitute; they will also give you a good taste, as per your preference in the recipe.

PARMESAN & MOZZARELLA CHEESE:

• The mozzarella cheese melts smoothly and makes the pasta cheesy in taste. Feta cheese gives it a more Mediterranean flavor and works well in the recipe. The parmesan cheese will give a salty taste to the sauce. It will also make the pasta creamy. Pecorino Romano is another option, as per your choice in the recipe.

LEMON JUICE :

• The lemon juice will add some extra freshness. It will also make the sauce sour in taste and balance the creamy texture of the sauce. The White wine vinegar and Apple cider vinegar are good substitutes for it, as they also provide the sour taste and make the sauce fresher, as per your preference in the recipe.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Firstly, bring  a pot of salt water and boil it then add the penne pasta and cook until it becomes tender. Drain it and set it aside.
2. Then place the cubed chicken in a bowl, add seasoning to it, and mix them well.
3. Now take a skillet and heat the olive oil over a low flame and fry the chicken for 8 minutes, until it is cooked.
4. In the same pan, add garlic. Then add milk and yogurt. Mix slowly. Don’t let it boil.
5. Now add the cheese inside it and mix it until the cheese melts.
6. Add chopped tomatoes and lemon juice, and cook the sauce for 2 minutes.
7. Put the penne in the pan and mix gently so the pasta and chicken are fully coated in the creamy sauce.
8. Lastly, sprinkle the fresh parsley and extra cheese on top, then serve.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

FRESH SALADS:

• Greek salad
• Cucumber tomato salad
• Mediterranean chickpea salad.

VEGETABLES SIDES:

• Roasted zucchini
• Grilled eggplant
• Steamed broccoli

MEDITERRANEAN SIDES

• Hummus
• Baba ganoush
• Grilled vegetables

TIPS:

• Don’t cook pasta too much. Keep it a little firm.
• Cut chicken in the same size pieces so it cooks evenly..
• Try to use fresh parmesan cheese as it melts better.
• Keep the flame low when you add yogurt, or it will curdle.
• You can add a little water if the sauce gets thick.
• You can add spinach or olives for more flavor.

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

• You can easily store the Chicken Penne in a container for 3 days, so it will give you a good result.

FREEZER:

• You can also keep it for a long time in a container so the taste and texture will not get spoiled.

FAQs:

Should I use different kinds of pasta in the recipe?

• Yes, you can use different kinds of pasta like rotini or whole-wheat pasta as per your choice; it will also work well in the recipe

Should I add vegetables to this pasta?

• Yes, you can add vegetables like spinach, zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes as per your choice.

Is it possible to prepare the recipe ahead of time?

• Yes, you can cook the chicken and pasta ahead of time and prepare the sauce when you are ready to serve.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION:

Calories: 520 kcal

Net carbs: 45 g

Total carbs: 50 g

Fiber: 5 g

Protein: 42 g

Fat: 20 g

Saturated fat: 7 g

Iron: 2.5 mg

Calcium: 280 mg

Vitamin A: 350 mcg

Sodium: 650 mg

Potassium: 650 mg

Serving size: 1