Easy Lemon Pasta with Chicken

1 lb. dried penne (I used rotini and I only used 13.25 oz 'cause that was one box)

2 chicken cutlets cut into fingers (I used 2 breasts cut into 1-inch pieces)

salt and ground pepper

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes

3 TBS olive oil (I used less)

3 TBS parsley (opt)

1 large or 2 small lemon(s) juiced

1/2 c. Parmesan Cheese

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling water until al dente. Drain well. Cut chicken into the size you want and season with salt and pepper. Cook in a large grill pan over medium high, grill until golden and completely cooked. Remove to a plate. Add garlic and red pepper flakes to pan with 3 TBS olive oil (I used probably 1/2 of this) - saute until fragrant. Add the cooked pasta to the garlic and red pepper flakes and turn off heat. Stir together and add to a large bowl. Add chicken to the warm pasta and season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle in parsley. Add the lemon juice and mix. Before serving top with Parmesan cheese (I probably used more than 1/2 cup).

Price Guesstimate: $4-5-ish

Steph's Comments: I got this recipe from my sister Heidi and it is a FABULOUS summer meal. It's not heavy and creamy like some pastas, and it's so full of lemony goodness. A warning, if your kids don't like lemons they won't like this (duh!). :) My two- and one-year olds didn't care for it, but my four-year old liked it. My husband and I LOVED it.