Leeann’s Chicken and Spinach Sorta-Carbonara Experiment

After watching a food-centered travel show this week featuring the flavors and cooking style of Tuscany, I decided to go a little crazy in the kitchen last night. As you might expect with any recipe involving butter and bacon, it’s savory, but the proper amount of red pepper rounds out the flavor – and spinach makes the dish at least seem healthy!

1 cube butter
Crushed red pepper, Italian seasoning, fresh garlic and/or garlic powder to taste
8-10 small chicken tenderloins (or equivalent of the cut of your choice)
4 tablespoons real bacon crumbles
5-6 handfuls fresh spinach
Grated parmesan cheese to taste
Thin spaghetti

Melt butter in covered saucepan. Add seasonings as desired; reduce temperature to low. Add chicken and cook slowly, turning as needed to coat with butter and seasonings, until chicken begins turning light brown (about 15 minutes). Add bacon, cook for another few minutes. Place spinach in pan and cover until spinach is thoroughly wilted. Top with parmesan. Once cheese melts, thoroughly stir the mixture and pour over spaghetti.

Makes 6 hearty servings.