Spicy Chicken Orecchiette with Broccoli and Zucchini
Indulge in this vibrant and flavorful Spicy Chicken Orecchiette, featuring tender pasta shaped like little hats that capture every bit of the rich, spicy garlic sauce. This dish combines perfectly sautéed chicken with fresh blanched broccoli and zucchini, all topped with a generous sprinkle of pecorino romano cheese. Ready to serve in less than an hour, it’s perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends. Enjoy a burst of flavor in every bite with this delightful one-dish meal!
N/A
Servings
464
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Olive oil
3/4 cup (none)
Chopped garlic
2 tablespoons (finely chopped)
Crushed red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons (none)
Boneless skinless chicken breasts
2 (diced into 1 inch square pieces)
Broccoli florets
2 cups (blanched)
Zucchini
1 small (thinly sliced and blanched)
Salt
1 teaspoon (none)
Orecchiette pasta
1 lb (none)
Tomato
1 medium (chopped)
Pecorino romano cheese
1/4 cup (grated)
Instructions
1
In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat until shimmering.
2
Add the chopped garlic and crushed red pepper flakes, cooking until they become aromatic, about 30 seconds.
3
Stir in the diced chicken breasts, sautéing until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
4
Add the blanched broccoli florets, sliced zucchini, and salt, stirring to mix. Cook for another 5 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and brown slightly.
5
Remove the sautéed chicken and vegetables from heat and set aside.
6
In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and add the orecchiette pasta. Cook until al dente according to package instructions.
7
Before draining the pasta, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta thoroughly.
8
Return the drained pasta to the pot and stir in the chicken and vegetable mixture. Add the reserved hot water and chopped tomatoes to create a cohesive sauce.
9
Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated in the sauce. Finally, stir in the grated pecorino romano cheese until well mixed.
10
Serve immediately, garnished with additional cheese if desired.
Nutrition Information
24.5g
Fat
40.75g
Carbs
19g
Protein
2g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Spicy Chicken Orecchiette with Broccoli and Zucchini?
It is a vibrant and flavorful pasta dish featuring ear-shaped pasta, sautéed chicken, fresh blanched broccoli, and zucchini in a spicy garlic sauce.
What does orecchiette mean in this recipe?
Orecchiette refers to tender pasta shaped like little hats that are excellent for capturing the rich, spicy garlic sauce.
How much olive oil is required for the sauce?
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup of olive oil.
How much garlic should I use?
You should use 2 tablespoons of finely chopped garlic.
What provides the heat in this spicy pasta dish?
The spice comes from 2 teaspoons of crushed red pepper flakes.
How should the chicken be prepared before cooking?
The 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts should be diced into 1 inch square pieces.
How long does it take to cook the chicken?
Sauté the diced chicken for about 6-8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
How should the broccoli be prepared?
You should use 2 cups of broccoli florets that have been blanched.
What kind of zucchini is needed?
The recipe requires 1 small zucchini, which should be thinly sliced and blanched.
How long do the vegetables cook in the pan?
After adding the broccoli and zucchini to the chicken, cook for another 5 minutes until they soften and brown slightly.
How much pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe uses 1 lb of orecchiette pasta.
Should I save any of the pasta water?
Yes, reserve 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water before draining to help create a cohesive sauce.
What type of cheese is used for the topping?
The dish is finished with 1/4 cup of grated pecorino romano cheese.
Are there fresh tomatoes in this recipe?
Yes, include 1 medium chopped tomato when mixing the pasta and chicken together.
How many calories are in a serving?
There are 464 calories per serving.
What is the fat content of this dish?
The dish contains 24.5g of fat.
How many grams of protein does this recipe provide?
This recipe provides 19g of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in the Spicy Chicken Orecchiette?
There are 40.75g of carbohydrates.
Is there any fiber in this meal?
Yes, the dish contains 2g of fiber.
How long does the entire recipe take to make?
The dish can be ready to serve in less than an hour.
How do I start the cooking process?
Begin by heating olive oil in a large sauté pan until shimmering, then add garlic and red pepper flakes.
When do I add the salt?
Add 1 teaspoon of salt when you add the blanched broccoli and sliced zucchini to the pan.
How do I combine the pasta and the sauce?
Return the drained pasta to the pot, stir in the chicken/vegetable mixture, the reserved hot water, and the chopped tomatoes.
What is the final step before serving?
Stir in the grated pecorino romano cheese until well mixed and garnish with additional cheese if desired.
Is this dish suitable for a family dinner?
Yes, it is perfect for a family dinner or a gathering with friends.
What category of cuisine does this recipe fall into?
This recipe is categorized as Italian cuisine.
Is this a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is considered a one-dish meal that combines protein, vegetables, and pasta.
Can I use different vegetables?
While this specific recipe uses broccoli and zucchini, the technique of sautéing with spicy garlic oil can work with many fresh vegetables.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
The recipe consists of 10 main ingredients.
How do I ensure the garlic doesn't burn?
Cook the garlic over medium heat only until it becomes aromatic, which should take about 30 seconds.