Rasta Pasta
The perfect weekday dinner menu, blending the vibrant flavors of Caribbean and Italian cuisines to elevate your evenings.
Ingredients
For the Jerk Chicken
- 450 g chicken breast diced
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 tbsp Jamaican jerk seasonings
- 1 tsp paprika
- Salt and pepper
For the Rasta Pasta
- 450 g penne pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 small onion chopped
- 1 red bell pepper
- 1 green bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 2 tbsp Jamaican jerk seasonings
- 200 ml (1 cup) chicken stock
- 200 ml (1 cup) coconut milk or heavy cream
- 1 cup parmesan cheese grated
- Green onion or parsley for garnish
Instructions
For the Jerk Chicken
- In a bowl, mix the diced chicken breast with Jamaican jerk seasonings, paprika, and salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil and butter in a pan over medium-high heat and add the seasoned chicken and cook for 6-7 minutes, or until cooked through.
- Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the pan and set it aside.
For the Rasta Pasta
- Cook the penne pasta according to the package instructions. Drain the pasta and set it aside.
- In the same pan used for cooking the chicken, add another tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion and sauté for 2-3 minutes until it becomes translucent.
- Add the red, green, and yellow bell peppers to the pan and sauté for an additional 3-4 minutes until they start to soften.
- Stir in the minced garlic and Jamaican jerk seasonings. Sauté for another 1-2 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant, but be careful not to burn it.
- Pour the chicken stock and coconut milk (or heavy cream) into the pan. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Gradually add the grated parmesan cheese while stirring the sauce. Continue stirring until the cheese is melted and the sauce thickens slightly.
- Add the cooked penne pasta to the pan and toss it in the sauce until well coated. If the sauce is too thick, you can add a splash of chicken stock or water to achieve your desired consistency.
- Finally, add the cooked jerk chicken back to the pan, gently mixing it with the pasta and sauce.
- Sprinkle the parmesan and garnish with chopped green onions or parsley if you like!
