Creamy Chicken Pasta (Print Version)

Chicken tossed in ricotta cream over whole wheat pasta, with optional fresh leafy greens for extra flavor.

# Ingredients:

01 - 1 pound chicken breast, chopped into small pieces.
02 - 12 oz whole wheat pasta of choice.
03 - 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped.
04 - 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
05 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.
06 - 1 cup smooth ricotta cheese.
07 - 1/2 cup chicken stock.
08 - 1 teaspoon of Italian herbs.
09 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes.
10 - Fresh parsley or basil leaves.
11 - 2 cups of spinach or kale, chopped.
12 - 1/2 cup heavy cream, optional for richness.

# Directions:

01 - Cook pasta until it's firm to the bite. Save 1/2 cup of that cooking water before draining.
02 - Heat oil and brown the chicken pieces until they're golden and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
03 - Sauté garlic, then melt in the ricotta and Parmesan. Add cream, broth, and seasonings. Mix until everything blends well.
04 - Toss chicken and pasta into the sauce. Use saved pasta water to loosen it up, then mix in leafy greens until they soften.

# Notes:

01 - Add pasta water to adjust sauce texture.
02 - Heavy cream is optional but gives a creamier taste.
03 - Switch out spinach or kale for any greens you like.