Pasta with Peas and Chicken

Ingrédients

• 1 Tablespoon olive oil (plus more for serving)
• 1 chicken breast (optional - washed, dried, lightly salted, and cut into roughly 1” cubes)
• 1 small yellow onion (diced)
• 1 medium clove garlic (minced)
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon red chili pepper flakes (depending on taste preference)
• 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt (plus more to taste)
• 2 1/2 - 3 cups water (plus more as needed, start with just enough to mostly cover the pasta)
• 1/2 pound short pasta (certified gluten free if necessary)
• 3/4 cup canned peas (drained and rinsed, up to 1 1/2 cups if using large frozen or fresh peas)
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup freshly grated cheese of choice

Préparation

1. 1

   Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat.

2. 2

   Add in the olive oil and swirl it...: Add in the olive oil and swirl it around to coat the bottom.

3. 3

   If using chicken, saute the chicken for a...: If using chicken, saute the chicken for a couple of minutes on two sides (just long enough so that the two largest sides are golden brown).

4. 4

   Remove the chicken from the skillet to a...: Remove the chicken from the skillet to a bowl, but leave the juices in the pan.

5. 5

   Add in the onion and saute for about...: Add in the onion and saute for about 4 minutes, or until translucent.

6. 6

   Add in the garlic and chili flakes and...: Add in the garlic and chili flakes and stir. Saute for about 30 seconds, or until the garlic is aromatic.

7. 7

   Add the chicken, pasta, and just enough water...: Add the chicken, pasta, and just enough water to mostly cover the pasta. Stir and bring to a boil. Cook according to the pasta package instructions, keeping an eye on the pasta to see if it needs more water. When the pasta is about 1 minute away from finishing cooking, add the rinsed canned peas in and stir.

8. 8

   When the pasta is finished cooking there should...: When the pasta is finished cooking there should be enough starchy liquid left to serve as the sauce for the pasta (don’t keep cooking the pasta until all of the liquid is gone).

9. 9

   Remove the pasta from the heat, and stir...: Remove the pasta from the heat, and stir in the shredded cheese.

10. 10

    Plate and top with a drizzle of olive...: Plate and top with a drizzle of olive oil, a squeeze of lemon juice, and some salt and pepper to taste.