Looking for a Chicken pasta dish that looks crazy, makes you crazy because the flavors will have you doing crazy things. Pollo Loco Pasta is the recipe for you. A pasta dish filled with tender morsels of Chicken, Sweet Tomatoes, Kale & Onions in a Buttery & Olive Oil base that is light on the palate and delicious in every bite.
Pollo Loco Pasta is one of my clean out the refrigerator at the end of the week meals. An all in dish on what I have with a little extra on the love of flavor that make you go hmmm. Full of tender Chicken Breast bite size pieces that cook up in no time. Not a Chicken Breast lover, you can absolutely substitute for your favorite alternative cut. Kale is something I always have on hand. A leafy Green with a mild peppery flavor and a bitter side to it. It is my go to in salads or sautéed side dishes. The addition of Cherry Tomatoes, Onion, Garlic & Spanish Olives, perfect compliments to my creative Chicken Pasta dish. Let’s pull those vegetables out and experiment since there are no wrong ways to a perfect recipe.
Pasta dishes come in variations of recipes and doesn’t always have to be your traditional Spaghetti and Meat Sauce, Lasagna, Alfredo or any other option commonly enjoyed. First, you must understand that Pasta dishes have the ability to be whatever you want them to be. Secondly, you must know what they are. Spaghetti to Angel Hair to Stuffed Shells to Elbow. There is Meat laden to Vegetarian or Saucy to Oil based. Finally, with so many options to experiment with, realizing you will never run out of pasta choices or ideas to utilize them. It’s being creative and letting those love juices flow that makes a Pasta recipe perfect. It’s the end of the week and an opportunity to create your own clean out the refrigerator meal. Let’s get to cooking!
“Creativity has a mind of its own, its what you choose to do with it that makes the result art.”
~Sandy M
Pollo Loco Pasta
Equipment
- Deep Skillet
- Cutting Board
- Knife
- Pot
Ingredients
Protein
- 1 lb Chicken Breast Boneless, Skinless & cut into bite size pieces.
Produce
- 12 oz Cherry Tomatoes
- 3 cups Kale Chopped up.
- 1 Yellow Onions Sliced thinly.
- 1 tbsp Garlic Minced.
Dairy
- 1/2 cup Butter 1 stick.
- Parmesan Cheese Grated.
Pantry
- 12 oz Cavatappi Pasta May substitute for you favorite Pasta.
- 1/4 cup Spanish Olives with Juice Sliced.
Seasonings
- 1 tsp Garlic Herb Seasoning No Salt.
- 1 tsp Onion Powder
- 1/2 tsp Cumin
- 1 tbsp Adobo
- 1/2 tsp Black Pepper
- 1 tbsp Knorr Tomato and Chicken Flavored Bouillon
- Red Pepper Flakes Optional.
Oil
- Olive Oil
Instructions
Pasta Preparation
- Prepare Pasta according to directions on package. If Pasta is done before steps below are completed, reserve 2 cups of Pasta water prior to draining.
Chicken Preparation
- Place Chicken in a bowl. Add Garlic Herb Seasoning, Onion Powder, Cumin, Adobo & Black Pepper. Using your hand, massage ingredients together to incorporate being sure Chicken is coated evenly. Let it marinade for 15 minutes.
- Heat Skillet on medium/high. Drizzle Olive Oil to coat.
- Add Chicken in Skillet and begin searing for 10 minutes being sure to stir and brown on all sides. Remove and place on dish and set aside.
- Drizzle another coating of Olive Oil in same skillet.
- Add Cherry Tomatoes, Kale, Onion & Garlic into Skillet and begin sautéing 5-7 minutes or until vegetables soften and Garlic becomes fragrant. Be sure to scrape up the cooked pieces on bottom of Skillet for added flavor.
- Add Stick of Butter, 1/4 cup of Olive Oil, Olives & Juice into Skillet and stir until Butter is melted and incorporated.
- At this time, Pasta should be done.
- Return Chicken into Skillet mixture and add the Pasta Water & Bouillon and bring up to a simmer stirring periodically for additional 5-7 minutes to finish cooking Chicken. Internal temperature should be 165℉. Taste to see if additional seasoning needed. If looking for a little more saucier effect, you can add additional Butter, Water & Olive Oil.
- Dump cooked Pasta into Skillet and toss to incorporate being sure Pasta is coated.
- Serve immediately garnished with Parmesan Cheese and Red Pepper Flakes for a little spice. Enjoy!
