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Mexican-Style Chicken with Penne
© Kana Okada

Mexican-Style Chicken with Penne

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  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 30 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • •FAST
  • •HEALTHY

Adding a small amount of canned chipotle chiles in adobo (available at most supermarkets) makes a basic tomato sauce smoky and complex. Finishing the dish with queso blanco and chopped cilantro leaves intensifies the Latin flavor.

  1. 3/4 pound penne rigate
  2. 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  3. 1 pound skinless, boneless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch dice
  4. Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
  5. 1 onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
  6. 1 large garlic clove, minced
  7. One 28-ounce can diced tomatoes, drained
  8. 1 large chipotle in adobo sauce, seeded and minced, plus 2 teaspoons adobo sauce
  9. 1/2 cup frozen corn
  10. 1/4 pound queso blanco or mozzarella cheese, coarsely grated (1 1/3 cups)
  11. 1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro leaves
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne and cook until al dente. Drain the penne.
  2. Meanwhile, in a large, deep skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, add it to the skillet and cook over moderately high heat until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add the onion and garlic and cook over moderate heat until the onion is softened and the chicken is cooked through, about 4 minutes. Add the diced tomatoes, chipotle and adobo sauce and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Add the corn, season with salt and pepper and cook until the corn is heated through, about 1 minute.
  3. Add the penne and the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the sauce and toss to coat. Add 1 cup of the queso blanco and toss. Transfer the pasta to bowls, sprinkle with the remaining queso blanco and the cilantro and serve.

Suggested Pairing

Peppery Zinfandel.