A quick and delicious meal for a 6-person dinner could be a classic pasta dish: Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken. It's simple to prepare, and the flavors will please a wide range of tastes. Here's a step-by-step recipe:
Ingredients:
For Spaghetti Aglio e Olio:
- 500g spaghetti
- 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
- Grated Parmesan cheese (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken:
- 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, or basil)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
Start by marinating the chicken: In a bowl, mix the olive oil, lemon juice, chopped herbs, salt, and pepper. Add the chicken breasts to the marinade, coating them well. Cover the bowl and let it marinate for at least 15-20 minutes while you prepare the pasta.
Cook the spaghetti according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving about 1/2 cup of the pasta water.
While the pasta is cooking, heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 2-3 minutes or until the garlic turns lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic.
Add the cooked spaghetti to the skillet with the garlic and oil. Toss the pasta well, coating it evenly with the oil and garlic mixture. If the pasta seems a bit dry, you can add some of the reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
In the meantime, grill the marinated chicken on a preheated grill or stovetop grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill each side for about 4-5 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through and has a nice grilled appearance.
Once the chicken is cooked, remove it from the grill and let it rest for a couple of minutes before slicing it.
Serve the Spaghetti Aglio e Olio with the sliced Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken on top. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan cheese if desired.
This meal should take around 30-40 minutes to prepare, depending on how long you marinate the chicken. It's a crowd-pleaser and will surely impress your guests! Enjoy your dinner!