Jerk Chicken Pasta

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This creative take on jerk chicken combines bite-size pieces of spiced chicken with pasta and a delicious tomato sauce.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time20 mins

Resting Time1 hr

Total Time1 hr 35 mins

Course: Main Course

Cuisine: Caribbean, Jamaican

Servings: servings

Calories: 493kcal

6 skinless, boneless chicken thighs (I used 2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts instead)
1 tablespoon Jamaican jerk seasoning (recipe follows)
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 onion chopped
2 to 3 garlic cloves chopped
¼ cup red wine
4 plum tomatoes peeled, seeded, and chopped (I used 2 larger summer tomatoes)
1 cup tomato sauce
½ cup water or chicken stock
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound dried penne or rigatoni (I used campanelle pasta)
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil or parsley
Grated Romano or Parmesan cheese, or crumbled feta cheese, to serve (optional)

Cut the chicken into strips. Rub thoroughly with the jerk seasoning (wear gloves!), cover and let sit for at least 1 hour in the refrigerator.
Heat the oil in a skillet. Saute the chicken pieces until browned. Add the onion and garlic and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Do not allow the garlic to burn.
Deglaze the pan with red wine, scraping up the slightly burned bits in the pan. Simmer for 1 minute and then add the tomatoes, tomato sauce, stock, salt and pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes uncovered, allowing the sauce to reduce and thicken. Adjust the seasoning as needed.
Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil. Salt it generously and add the pasta, stirring occasionally, and cooking until al dente (see package for suggested cooking times). Drain immediately in a large colander.
Toss the hot, drained pasta with the sauce and add the basil or parsley. Sprinkle with cheese, if desired. Serve immediately.

Adapted from Eat Caribbean