Spicy Oven Baked Coconut Crusted Chicken & Pasta
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4-6
 
Ingredients
For the Chicken:
Marinade:
  • 2 lb chicken breast, sliced in half lengthwise
  • 1 can coconut milk (doesn't matter what fat content you use)
  • 1 tbsp marjoram
  • 1 tbsp garam masala
  • 1 tbsp salt
Coating:
  • 1 tbsp marjoram
  • 1 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 6 garlic cloves (about 3 tbsp) minced
  • 1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes, rough chopped (or shredded unsweetened)
  • 1 cup plain panko crumbs
For the Pasta:
  • 1 lb any type of pasta
  • 5 oz baby spinach
  • ¼ cup olive oil
  • ¼ cup reserved pasta water
  • Salt & Pepper to taste
  • Parmesan (optional)
Instructions
  1. First in a large ziplock, or container add your marinade together and whisk. Next place halved chicken breast in marinade and let sit in fridge for at least 2-4 hours (overnight is always best but not necessary).
  2. Remove from fridge ½ hour before ready to bake and preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  3. Next in a small flat bowl, or wide container (I used a square baking pan) add all of rub ingredients and mix together. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or nonstick foil and spray with a little bit of oil (to ensure no sticking and a crispier skin).
  4. Remove chicken from marinade and coat with the coconut/panko mix. Place on baking sheet. Continue to do this until all chicken is fully coated.
  5. Next spray tops of chicken with oil (or drizzle a little bit of olive oil on top). Place in oven until internal temperature of chicken reaches 165 degrees, about 25 minutes.. Remove, slice & serve over pasta (recipe below).
Pasta:
  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your 1 lb pasta and cook until al dente (according to instructions) being sure to reserve ¼ cup pasta water.
  2. In a large pan over medium heat add a ¼ cup olive oil and ¼ cup reserved pasta water. Add 5 oz spinach and cook until spinach begins to wilt.
  3. Add cooked pasta to pan and cook for another minute, salt and pepper to taste. Add chicken slices on top and serve with parmesan.
Recipe by My Lavender Blues at https://mylavenderblues.com/spicy-oven-baked-coconut-crusted-chicken-over-pasta/