2Tbspfresh basilroughly chopped - plus additional for serving.
Instructions
Chicken:
Combine first 6 ingredients and mix well. Place chicken in a sealable container or Ziplock bag and pour marinade over chicken. Marinate for 2 hours in the refrigerator.
When ready, grill chicken until done. Allow it to rest for a few minutes and then slice into strips to serve over pasta.
Pasta:
Boil penne pasta according to directions (10-12 minutes).
Reserve ½ cup of pasta water and drain.
While the pasta is boiling, make the sauce. In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat and add olive oil. Add red pepper and sauté until somewhat soft. Add garlic and sauté for one minute.
Add flour and stir until the flour is incorporated. Add lemon juice and half & half. Stir as the mixture thickens. Add spinach, parmesan cheese, lemon zest, and fresh basil, and heat until cheese is melted and spinach is wilted. Add salt and black pepper to taste.
Check the consistency of the sauce and add some of the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if necessary. Toss in pasta. The sauce should be thick, but loose enough to cover the pasta.
Serve with grilled chicken sliced on top with additional fresh basil, if desired.