Jerk Chicken Rasta Pasta (Printable Version)

# What You’ll Need:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless
02 - 2 tablespoons jerk seasoning
03 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
04 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
05 - 1 tablespoon lime juice
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
08 - 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
09 - 1/4 teaspoon allspice
10 - 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
11 - 1/2 teaspoon paprika
12 - 1/2 teaspoon thyme
13 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
14 - 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

→ Pasta and Sauce

15 - 12 ounces penne pasta
16 - 1 cup heavy cream
17 - 1/2 cup chicken broth
18 - 1/2 cup bell peppers, sliced
19 - 1/2 cup red onion, sliced
20 - 1/2 cup tomatoes, diced
21 - 1/4 cup scallions, chopped
22 - 1/4 cup parsley, chopped

# Steps to Follow:

01 - Season both sides of the chicken breasts with jerk seasoning. Heat a skillet over medium heat, add olive oil and cook the chicken for 5-7 minutes per side until fully cooked with an internal temperature of 165°F.
02 - Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside to rest.
03 - In the same skillet, add soy sauce, lime juice, minced garlic, grated ginger, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, paprika, thyme, salt, and black pepper. Stir well and cook for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
04 - Add chicken broth and heavy cream, then bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Let it reduce and thicken for 5-7 minutes.
05 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook penne pasta according to the package instructions (about 9-11 minutes). Drain the pasta, reserving 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
06 - Slice the rested chicken breasts into thin strips.
07 - Add sliced bell peppers, red onion, and tomatoes to the skillet with the sauce. Cook for 3-4 minutes until they begin to soften.
08 - Stir in the drained pasta and a bit of reserved pasta water to help the sauce adhere.
09 - Add sliced chicken back to the skillet and mix gently. Cook for 2-3 minutes to reheat the chicken and combine.
10 - Remove the skillet from heat, stir in scallions and parsley. Serve immediately, garnished with extra parsley if desired.

# Additional Notes:

01 - Let the chicken rest after cooking to retain its juices.
02 - Adjust the jerk seasoning to your preferred spice level for more heat or flavor.
03 - For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut cream.
04 - Swap penne pasta with alternatives like fettuccine or spaghetti for variation.