Few days back I stumbled upon Orecchiette pasta making video, liked the tiny round dome shapes, got one packet and cooked this simple creamy pasta with chicken breast chunks, seasoned it with fresh pot grown herbs - Greek oregano and Rosemary. Sauce was created by sauteing onion,ginger,garlic green chilies. I used grated Parmesan cheese, shredded Romano cheese and milk to bring creamy texture.
Ingredients :
2 Cups - Orecchiette pasta
3 Cups - 1 inch chicken breast chunks
1 medium Onion - finely chopped
5-6 Garlic cloves - minced
2 inch piece of ginger - minced
2 green chilies - finely chopped
3-4 Rosemary sprigs - 3 inch long
7-8 Greek Oregano sprigs - 2 inch long
1 Cup milk (used 2%)
1/4 Cup - grated Parmesan cheese + extra for garnish
1/4 Cup - grated Romano cheese, save some for garnish
2-3 Tbsp - extra virgin olive oil
5-6 cups water to boil pasta
1 cup drained water from cooked pasta to cook chicken.
Recipe :
In a large pot bring 5-6 cup water to boil, add pasta with 1 Tsp olive oil, little salt. Once it starts to boil, maintain high heat for 15 minutes. Reduce heat to medium heat, continue cooking, stirring often for another 10-12 minutes, water will reduce and paste will get tender. Reduce heat to low and cook until pasta is perfectly tender. Take pot out of heat, drain and save the liquids. I did not rinse it under water. I drizzled 1 tbsp olive oil over cooked pasta, tossed it well.
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a open skillet, add chopped onion, saute for 7-8 minutes until soft. Add minced ginger, garlic and green chillies, 2 sprigs of rosemary, 3-4 sprigs of oregano. Saute for 2 minutes. Add chicken chunks, little salt mix well. Stir fry on medium low heat for 6-7 minutes. Add some reserved pasta cooked water to cook chicken. Adjust salt level, continue to cook until chicken is tender.
Add 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese mix well, add half a cup of milk. Sprinkle some fresh herbs.Cook for 2-3 minutes over medium heat. Pour over cooked orecchiette pasta. Add some shredded romano cheese, add little more milk to adjust sauce consistency. Garnish with cheese and fresh herbs before serving.
