Cilantro Lime Chicken Pasta

A quick lunch or dinner fix that is tangy and so delicious!

📝 Ingredients

• 1 lb spaghetti
• salt
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 3/4-1 lb chicken breast (cut into bite sized pieces)
• 4-5 cloves garlic (crushed)
• 1/2-1 tsp chilli flakes
• 1 tbsp all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 cup chicken stock ((or 3/4 of a stock cube))
• 1/4-1/2 cup cream
• zest of one lime
• 2-3 tbsp lime juice (2 limes )
• 3/4-1 cup shredded cheese - monterey jack, parmesan, mild cheddar or any combinationn
• 3 tbsp chopped cilantro
• salt, freshly cracked pepper, red chilli flakes, red chilli powder (for seasoning )
• salt
• pepper

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Bring a generous amount of water to boil and add a few fat pinches of salt
2. 2Pop in the spaghetti
3. 3Season the chicken pieces well with salt, pepper, and a tiny pinch of cayenne (red chilli powder)
4. 4Cook the chicken pieces in a hot skillet in the olive oil for about 2 minutes on each side on medium high heat - they should be golden brown and cooked through
5. 5Remove the chicken, turn down the temperature and then add the garlic and chilli flakes
6. 6Sprinkle on the flour and cook for a minute to take away the raw smell
7. 7Then whisk in the chicken stock, the lime zest, cream (start with 1/4 cup) and some freshly ground pepper
8. 8Bring to a boil and simmer till it thickens a little
9. 9Add the chicken pieces and 2 tbsp lime juice to the sauce.
10. 10Drain the pasta when it's cooked through making sure to reserve a cup of pasta water
11. 11Add the sauce to the cooked spaghetti, stir to coat.
12. 12Now stir in the cheese, tossing the pasta frequently as you add it. It should melt into the pasta fairly quickly, add a splash of pasta water and additional cream to loosen the sauce if needed
13. 13Cook on medium heat stirring frequently until the sauce is a consistency you like. If it thickens too much then add more pasta water.
14. 14Add the cilantro, mix lightly and then taste the pasta - adjust seasoning with remaining lime juice, salt, pepper and chilli flakes
15. 15Serve immediately