Recipe
Grilled Chicken & Eggplant over Rotini with Spicy Peppers
Prep Time: 10 min
Cook Time: 30 min
Serves: 4
Eggplant is one of the best vegetables to grill. It holds its shape and absorbs other flavours easily. Tossed together with marinated grilled chicken chunks, it makes a filling pasta dish that’s perfect for the weekend.
Ingredients
8
boneless, skinless chicken thighs
1/4 tsp (1.25 mL)
salt
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL)
salt
1/2 tsp (2.5 mL)
hot red chili pepper flakes
1/4 cup (60 mL)
lemon juice, fresh
4
cloves garlic, minced
1 cup (250 mL)
onions, diced
1/4 cup (60 mL)
extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp (10 mL)
extra virgin olive oil
4
plum tomatoes, diced
1 cup (250 mL)
dry white wine
4
hot green chili peppers, seeded, chopped
1/4 cup (60 mL)
basil, fresh
1/2 cup (125 mL)
parsley, fresh
1/4 cup (60 mL)
oregano, fresh
1 tsp (5 mL)
black pepper, freshly ground
1
eggplant, medium, sliced ¾" (2 cm) thick
1 cup (250 mL)
Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
12 oz (345 g)
whole wheat rotini
Instructions
1
Season chicken with 1/4 teaspoon salt, a pinch or two of red pepper flakes and fresh lemon juice. Turn to coat. Marinate in refrigerator for up to 1 hour.
2
Heat the olive oil in a sauce pan. Add garlic and onion and sauté until golden brown.
3
Add tomatoes, white wine and chili peppers. Bring to a boil and season with basil, parsley, oregano, freshly ground black pepper and remaining salt. Cover pot and simmer gently for 20 minutes. Purée the sauce in a blender.
4
Slice eggplant ¾ inch (2 cm) thick and drizzle with 2 Tbsp (30 mL) olive oil. Grill or broil until golden brown on both sides and tender. Then sprinkle well with ½ cup (125 mL) parmesan cheese and grill a bit longer to toast the cheese. Remove and cool. Set aside 4 large slices to use as a garnish. Cut the remaining slices into 1” (2.5 cm) cubes.
5
Cook rotini as per directions on package.
6
Brush 2 tsp (10 mL) olive oil on the grill and heat to medium-high. Grill chicken until a meat thermometer reads 165°F (74°C). Cut each thigh into 4 pieces.
7
Serve chicken on rotini with eggplant and sauce. Garnish with ½ cup (125 mL) parmesan cheese.