Creamy Chicken Fettuccine with Mushrooms and Kale

Creamy Chicken Fettuccine with Mushrooms and Kale

Most of the creamy texture of this kale-and-mushroom sauce comes from the extra-virgin olive oil, so make sure to use a good brand.

Ingredients :

• 1 (6-ounce) chicken breast
• ¼ cup plus 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• sea salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 6 ounces fettuccine
• 1 onion, medium diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 6 large white mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 2 cups kale, packed, inner stems removed, leaves coarsely chopped
• ¼ cup parmigiano-reggiano cheese, freshly grated
• ¼ cup heavy cream (optional)

Directions

1. Season the chicken breast with 1/8 teaspoon each of sea salt and freshly ground pepper. In a small pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 1 minute. Turn the chicken, reduce the heat, cover, and cook for 8 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and leave covered for 10 minutes, then shred the chicken with 2 forks.
2. Meanwhile, in a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta according to package directions.
3. In a large frying pan, heat the remaining 1/4 cup of extra-virgin olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook for 5 minutes, or until it just starts to brown. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds. Add the mushrooms and cook until they're soft and browned, about 10 minutes. Add the kale and cook for 1 minute, until it starts to wilt.
4. Add the pasta and the shredded chicken to the pan and toss to coat. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the heavy cream, if using, and the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Season generously with sea salt and freshly ground pepper.