Lemon Artichoke Chicken Penne

This simple but delicious pasta dish is anything but plain. In fact it is so good, I'm sure it will soon become a household favorite! And of course it's allergen free!

Ingredients:

1 pound chicken breasts (about 2 large breasts)
3 tablespoons gluten free flour (I used sorghum)
salt and pepper 
1 teaspoon dried basil 
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil 
1 cup white wine 
2 cups GF chicken broth (I use Pacific Natural Foods, check out the link for a coupon!)
juice of half a lemon 
1 jar capers, drained and rinsed
1 jar pitted kalimata olives, drained 
1 can artichoke hearts
1/2 pound of gluten free penne 
Vegan cheese (I used Daiya mozzarella style) - optional-it's very good without.
Gluten Free breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon olive oil

How to Make it:

• Cut the chicken, about 2 large breasts, into 2 x 1/2 inch strips. 
• In a small bowl combine, flour, salt, pepper, and basil.
• Coat the chicken strips in flour mixture.
• Pour the grapeseed oil in a deep, heavy frying pan and heat over medium high heat. Working in batches fry the chicken until fully cooked and browned on both sides. Remove the chicken to a plate.
• Deglaze the pan with a cup of white wine scraping up all the browned bits. Reduce the liquid by half.
• Add the chicken stock and simmer until it is reduced by about a third. Add the juice from 1/2 lemon and season with salt and pepper. 
• While the sauce is reducing, make the penne. Boil it a few minutes short of being done (so if it is supposed to boil for 9 minutes reduce the time to 6 minutes). Drain, reserving 1 cup of the pasta water. 
• Add the penne to the sauce and mix. Add the artichokes (cut into quarters). Simmer, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes. If the sauce boils down add some of the pasta water about ¼ cup at a time to keep things moist. Add the chicken pieces and heat another minute.
• Pour the mixture into a large ovenproof serving dish. 
• Stir in the drained olives and capers.
• Sprinkle the pasta with a few tablespoons of vegan cheese.
• Top with the gluten free breadcrumbs and drizzle with olive oil. Place under the broiler for a few minutes until the top is golden brown.
• Enjoy!

**To make gluten free breadcrumbs at home, cut a few slices of gluten free bread into small pieces. Drizzle with olive oil and seasoning of choice, then fry the bread in a pan or place in the oven under the broiler for a few minutes until toasted!