Rainy Day Comfort Food

This past Sunday was one of those rare days when I didn't want to venture out of the house. The rain was pelting down most of the day with 40-50 mph winds whipping around. Definitely a day I didn't want to venture out even to the grocery store. We spent most of the day in our jammies and when it came time for dinner I needed to come up with a recipe that I had all the ingredients in the pantry. I was flipping through some of my issues of Everyday Food for inspiration and came across a recipe in the March issue that didn't require me to run out to the store. And best of all, it called for papparedelle pasta which I had bought at World Market some time ago and had been wanting to try.

Like all of Everyday Food recipes, this one doesn't have a lot of ingredients and it is quick and easy to prepare. A hearty pasta dinner was on the table in under 30 minutes. We all loved this recipe and it was even better the next day. I will be adding this one to my repertoire. 

Papparedelle with Creamy Chicken Sauce adapted from Everyday Food

1 tablespoon olive oil

7 boneless, skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces

Salt and pepper

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 cup heavy cream

1/2 can cream of mushroom soup 

1 pound of papparedelle

1. In a Dutch oven heat oil over medium high heat. Salt and pepper the chicken pieces and cook about until they are almost cooked through, about 7 minutes. 
2. Add the onion to the dutch oven with the chicken and cook until the onion is translucent, about 6 minutes.
3. Add the garlic cloves and cook for about 30 seconds only.
4. Add the heavy cream and cream of mushroom soup and let it come to a boil, stirring occasionally.
5. Reduce the heat and cook for about 15 minutes, until the sauce is thickened.
6. While the sauce is thickening, start another pot of salted water to boil for the pasta and cook it al dente.
7. Drain the pasta and reserve about a cup of the pasta water. 
8. Add the pasta to the chicken and sauce along with some of the pasta water. You may not need the entire cup of pasta water - you just want enough to add some more flavor to the sauce.
9. Serve immediately.