Rachael's Daytime Talk Show
Chicken Caesar Pasta -- 03/16/09

Chicken Caesar Pasta

Ingredients

  • Salt
  • 1 pound penne pasta
  • 1 tablespoon EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken thighs
  • Ground black pepper
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped or grated
  • Juice of 1 lemon
  • 1/4 cup canola oil
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmigano Reggiano
  • 1/2 head romaine lettuce, finely chopped

Yields: 4 servings

Preparation

Place a large pot of water over high heat and bring up to a boil to cook the pasta. Once at a boil, add some salt and the pasta, and cook until al dente, according to package directions. Right before draining, remove and reserve 1 cup of the pasta-cooking water. Drain pasta thoroughly, return to the pot and reserve.

Step

While the pasta is cooking, place a large skillet over medium-high heat with 1 turn of the pan of EVOO, about 1 tablespoon. Season the chicken with salt and ground black pepper, and cook in the pan until golden brown and cooked through, 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from the pan and set aside. When cool enough to handle, chop into bite-size pieces.

Step

While chicken is cooking, place the egg yolk, Dijon, Worcestershire, garlic and lemon juice in a food processor with some salt and pepper. Pulse the processor while drizzling in the canola oil. Add the sauce to the pan of cooked pasta along with the Parmigiano Reggiano and reserved cup of pasta water.

Return the pan to medium-low heat and cook until most of the liquid has been absorbed and the pasta is coated in sauce, about a minute. Remove from the heat, toss with the lettuce and chopped chicken, and serve.