The Red Sauce Redemption
Chicken Pasta with Rustic Tomato and Garlic Sauce
40 minutes
Serves 4
DinnerItalianGluten-freeDairy-freeNut-freeShellfish-freeSoy-free
Herb's take
Inspired by classic Italian-American comfort food, this dish leans into pantry simplicity and big tomato flavor. Along the way, you'll pick up a pro trick or two for coaxing the best out of humble ingredients.
Ingredients
Yield
4
Instructions
- 01Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- 02While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and black pepper, and cook until golden and just cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
- 03Add the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the pan. Toss in the diced onion and a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, until softened and translucent, about 4 minutes.
- 04Stir in the garlic and cook for 1 minute, just until fragrant.
- 05Add the chopped tomatoes, sugar, and dried oregano. Stir well, scraping up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Simmer, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes break down and sauce thickens, about 12-15 minutes.
- 06Taste the sauce and season with salt and black pepper as needed.
- 07Return the chicken and any juices to the skillet. Simmer together for 2-3 minutes to let the flavors mingle.
- 08Add the drained pasta to the skillet, tossing gently to combine. If the sauce looks dry, splash in a bit of reserved pasta water until you reach your desired consistency.
- 09Serve hot, garnished with a final crack of black pepper. No cheese needed, your taste buds will thank you.
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