Roasted Thighs with Mozzarella & Rigatoni

Roasted Thigh with Mozzarella & Rigatoni

Ingredients:

• 4 bone-in chicken thighs

• zest of 1 lemon

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1 tsp crushed dried basil

• 4 tsp olive oil

• salt and pepper to taste

• 8 oz Rigatoni

• 2 cans Italian seasoned crushed tomatoes

• 4 slices fresh mozzarella cheese

• Grated Parmesan cheese for garnish

1. Wash and trim thighs of fat and hanging skin. Pat dry. Drizzle one and half teaspoon of the olive oil over chicken. Season with lemon zest, lemon juice, basil, salt and pepper.

2. Place chicken skin side up on an oiled baking pan. Roast in a preheated 425°F oven for 25 to 35 minutes. Thighs should register an internal temperature of 165°F with an instant read thermometer. Alternately, a toothpick inserted should show juices running clear.

3. While chicken thighs are cooking, bring a medium-sized pot of water, with plenty of salt, to boil. Cook pasta in boiling water according to package directions. Toss pasta s with one and half teaspoon olive oil.

4. Heat one teaspoon olive oil in a large saucepan. Add crushed tomatoes. Bring to a slow boil and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for 10 to 12 minutes or until sauce begins to thicken. Season with salt and pepper if desired.

5. Once chicken is cooked, top with 1 slice of fresh mozzarella, return chicken to oven and allow cheese to melt, about 3 to 5 minutes. Place chicken in pan on top of sauce.

6. Divide pasta into 4 bowls, top with chicken and sauce. Garnish with Parmesan cheese.

Serves: 4

Notes&Tips:

• This is a no fuss, quick and easy, weeknight dinner. That does not mean that it is not tasty. Sometimes some of the simplest dishes are the most delicious.

• Roasted Thighs with Mozzarella & Rigatoni packs a lot of flavor and was a comforting dish on a cold and snowy evening. I used bone-in thighs, but you could substitute for boneless thighs or even chicken breast. Of course, the cooking times for those substitutions will vary.

• Fresh mozzarella is a must have for this dish. Shredded mozzarella just will not give that nice thick layering on the chicken.

• If you're staying away from carbs, you could substitute the pasta for sauteed kale or spinach.