Jerk Chicken Pasta

Recipe for Creamy Jerk Chicken & Bow Tie Pasta

Ingredients
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves of garlic crushed or minced
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 1b boneless chicken breasts or thighs
• 1 lb of asparagus with ends trimmed and removed, chopped into bite-sized pieces.
• 12 ounces bow tie pasta (farfalle)
• 1 cup Half and Half
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon cornstarch
• 3 tablespoons crushed parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon each of Rosemary, Marjoram, Oregano, Thyme.
• 8 ounces sliced mushrooms pieces and stems
• 3/4 cup parmesan cheese
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions

Cook pasta al dente in salted water according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

In a large skillet, add 2tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, and heat over low heat. Add the chicken, and sprinkle both sides with cayenne. Cook chicken for 10 to 12 minutes, until lightly browned. Chicken is done when it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

Remove chicken from the pan, and set aside. After 5 minutes, slice the chicken into bite-sized pieces.

Add butter over medium/low heat to the same skillet. When hot, add garlic. Cook until the garlic becomes fragrant.

Leave the butter/garlic/cayenne mix in the skillet.

Remove skillet from heat and set aside briefly.

Pour water into the bottom half of a steamer pan set. Bring to a boil over medium/high heat.

Trim the dry ends off of the asparagus. If the spears are thick, peel them lightly with a vegetable peeler.

Place them in the top half of the steamer pan set. Steam for 5 to 10 minutes depending on the thickness of the asparagus, or until asparagus is tender. Remove and set aside.

In a bowl stir together half-and-half, chicken broth and cornstarch. Pour into skillet chicken was cooked in.

Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, then simmer for 3 minutes, constantly stirring.

Stir in the parsley, herbs, mushrooms, and asparagus for 3 – 5 minutes to heat through and allow flavors to blend.

Add chicken to heat through.

Add pasta and stir to heat through.

Add parmesan cheese

Serve hot.