Rustic Tomato Mascarpone Fusilli with Chicken & Baby Kale

Italian seasoned chicken with fusilli pasta in a creamy rustic tomato sauce and wilted baby kale.

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 35-40 min

Calories: 778 Fat: 15g Carbs: 72g Protein: 18g

Mascarpone is mild, fresh Italian cheese similar to cream cheese. It’s surprisingly light and turns into the perfect creamy sauce when added to pasta.

Ingredients

Fusilli pasta

Red Wine Vinegar

Garlic

Parsley

Diced tomatoes

Mascarpone

Chicken breasts

Minnesota Nice Spice Mediterranean Mate spice blend

Baby kale

Al Dente Literally to the tooth. Describes the ideal texture of cooked pasta that leaves it with a slight bite, rather than becoming mushy.

Mince To cut a food into very small pieces.

Simmer To stew gently below or just at boiling point.

Medium pot

Medium sauté pan

Medium bowl

Step 1: MISE EN PLACE

Read through entire recipe before getting started. Bring 6 cups salted water to a boil in a medium pot. Wash and dry all produce. Mince or grate garlic. Chop parsley leaves and stems. Remove chicken from package; rinse and pat dry. Cut into ½” pieces.

Step 2: COOK FUSILLI

Add fusilli pasta to boiling water and cook for 8-10 min until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water then strain and set pasta aside. While pasta is cooking, begin searing chicken (Step #3).

Step 3: SEAR THE CHICKEN

Combine chicken, Mediterranean Mate spice blend, and pinch of salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Heat 1 tsp. oil in medium sauté pan over medium heat. Add chicken and sear until golden brown 3-4 min.
Note: Chicken will not be fully cooked at this point.

Step 4: MAKE THE SAUCE

Add red wine vinegar and garlic to chicken, deglazing about 30 sec-1 min. Add diced tomatoes and ½ cup reserved pasta water; bring to a simmer until chicken is fully cooked, about 5-6 min. The USDA recommends cooking poultry to an internal temperature of 165ºF.

Step 5: FINISH THE PASTA

Add mascarpone cheese to chicken and stir until combined. Add fusilli and baby kale to chicken and sauce; toss until incorporated and kale has wilted.

Step 6: PLATE YOUR DISH

Divide pasta between two bowls. Garnish with parsley. Enjoy!