chicken and spinach penne pasta

prep time:  10 minutes
cook time:  10 minutes
servings:  6

ingredients:
1 pound boneless chicken breast
salt and pepper
4 tablespoons butter - divided
1 garlic clove - minced
10 ounces fresh spinach
1 pound penne pasta
4 ounces mascarpone cheese
2 ounces shredded parmesan cheese
grape tomatoes - sliced

steps:
1.  in a medium pan, season the chicken breast with salt and pepper and brown in 3 tablespoons of butter until cooked through.  slice the chicken and set aside.

2.  saute the minced garlic in remaining 1 tablespoon butter until almost brown and add the fresh spinach leaves.  saute until wilted. set aside.

3.  in a large pot, boil the penne past until al dente and drain. 

4.  return pasta to hot pot and add mascarpone cheese, sauteed spinach and sliced chicken.  mix well until the mascarpone is melted.

5.  place in a serving dish and garnish with shredded parmesan cheese and sliced grape tomatoes.

- albertsons, january 2005