Cilantro Lime Chicken with Avocado Penne
Zesty Cilantro-Lime Marinated Chicken Breast with Creamy Avocado Penne Pasta
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
12 oz penne pasta
2 ripe avocados
1 cup fresh cilantro leaves, divided
3 limes (2 for juice, 1 for garnish)
4 cloves garlic, minced, divided
2 tablespoons olive oil, plus more for cooking
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
1 jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped (optional)
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/4 cup chicken broth
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 red onion, finely diced
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh cilantro sprigs for garnish
Directions:
In a bowl, mix juice of 1 lime, 2 cloves minced garlic, 1/2 cup chopped cilantro, 2 tablespoons olive oil, cumin, chili powder, paprika, cayenne (if using), salt, and pepper.
Place chicken breasts in a ziplock bag or shallow dish and pour the marinade over them. Seal and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes, up to 4 hours.
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil. Cook penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving 1/2 cup pasta water.
While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Remove chicken from marinade (discard used marinade) and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, or until internal temperature reaches 165°F. Transfer to a cutting board and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
For the avocado sauce: In a food processor, combine avocados, remaining 1/2 cup cilantro, juice of 1 lime, remaining 2 cloves garlic, Greek yogurt, and chicken broth. Process until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
In the same skillet used for chicken, add a touch more olive oil if needed and sauté red onion for 2-3 minutes until softened. Add cherry tomatoes and jalapeño (if using) and cook for another 2 minutes.
Reduce heat to low. Add cooked pasta to the skillet along with the avocado sauce. Toss gently to coat, adding reserved pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency.
Slice the chicken breasts and arrange on top of the pasta.
Garnish with lime wedges and fresh cilantro sprigs before serving.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 45 minutes (plus marinating time)
Kcal: 520 kcal | Servings: 4 servings