Green Spaghetti with Chicken

• 1500 g Water for the pasta (6⅓ cups)
• 4 g Salt (⅔ tsp)
• 85 g dry Dry spaghetti (3.0 oz dry)
• 150 g raw Chicken breast (5.3 oz raw)
• 4 g Olive oil (1 tsp)
• 100 g raw Tomatillos (3.5 oz raw)
• 12 g raw Jalapeño (0.4 oz raw)
• 15 g raw Cilantro (1 cup chopped)
• 50 g raw Baby spinach (1⅔ cups raw)
• 4 g raw (1½ cloves) Garlic
• 25 g raw Onion (0.9 oz raw)
• 60 g Nonfat Greek yogurt (¼ cup)
• 10 g Lime juice (⅔ tbsp)
• 12 g Cotija cheese or Parmesan (1½ tbsp)

You'll need: Large pot, Frying pan, Blender, Colander, Cutting board and knife.

Method

1. Boil the spaghetti

   Bring the water to a boil in the large pot with most of the salt. Cook the spaghetti for 9–10 minutes, until al dente. Scoop out a mug of the cooking water, then drain.

   Taste a strand a minute early. The pasta finishes cooking in the sauce.

2. Sear the chicken

   Slice the chicken into thin strips. Then scrub the board, knife and your hands with soap before you touch anything else. Heat the oil in the frying pan over medium-high heat and cook the chicken with a pinch of salt for 6–7 minutes, turning, until golden and 74°C (165°F) inside.

   Thin strips cook in the time the pasta takes to boil. Start them together.

3. Blend the green sauce

   Quarter the tomatillos and put them in the blender with the jalapeño (seeds out for less heat), cilantro, spinach, garlic, onion, yogurt, lime juice and a pinch of salt. Blend for about 1 minute, until completely smooth and bright green.

   Taste before you pour. Add more lime for brightness or another jalapeño slice for heat.

4. Toss the pasta in the green sauce

   Pour the blended sauce over the chicken in the pan and warm over medium-low heat for 1 minute. Add the spaghetti and a splash of the pasta water and toss for 1 minute, until the sauce clings. Crumble over the cheese.

   Keep the heat gentle. The yogurt can split if it boils hard.

Swaps

• Chicken breast → Peeled shrimpCooks in 3 minutes; done at 63°C (145°F) and fully pink.
• Dry spaghetti → Whole-wheat spaghettiMore fiber and a nuttier taste.