Chicken over Montasio Cheese Black Garlic Sauce Pasta serves tender Italian seasoned chicken breast over angel hair pasta tossed in black garlic, parsley and olive oil. A light, easy to make dish your family will love.

Disclaimer: Thank you, AOP Agriform, From the Heart of Europe for the cheese samples and product information to share with my readers. I received no further compensation. All opinions and recipes are my own.

Montasio cheese hails from the Fruili Venezia Giulia of Northeast Italy. Like many fine cheeses of Italy, Montasio PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) lets you trace your purchase back to it’s creation. There you’ll find the particular cattle breed, feed and steps taken to produce and age the cheese. Pretty cool, right?

This cheese has a delicate taste similiar to Alpine or asiago cheeses. The flavor intensifies as the cheese ages.

Pair it with mango chutney – Melt it into Fondue – Grate it to make Cheese Crisps

Making Montasio is a two step process. The first skimming of cream is turned into a cheese we all love. Mascarpone!

Interesting fact: Mascarpone uses acid to thicken instead of the animal enzyme, rennet. This process classified this cream made cheese as vegetarian.

Check out all these wonderful #MadeWithAmore PDO European Cheese Italian regional varieties where you buy cheese. Look for the stamp on the rind.

Parmigiano Reggiano: Classic hard cheese with a long aging process makes it high in calcium, amino acids, protein, and vitamins.
Grana Padano: Grainy with good texture. A bit sweet for hard cheese.
Asiago: Sharper, nutier flavor than Parmigiano Reggiano.
Piave: Similiar to Parmigiano Reggiano but a bit younger and milder.

Coctail Pairing by BARTENDER DAMIANO COREN

COCKTAIL: GIN & TONIC
A mono portion of Gin & Tonic with Mediterranean spices and essential oils.
This spice infused drink is served with a Cerignola Olive.
CHEESE: MONTASIO PDO
This semi-firm mountain cheese with an enjoyable salinity and hints of butterscotch, will be “opposed” by the freshness present in the spiced tonic Cocktail. The botanical notes will help reconnect the Montasio PDO with its mountainous terroir.

Chicken over Montasio Cheese Black Garlic Sauce Pasta

Print Recipe

Ingredients

1 pound chicken breast
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
2 cloves black garlic, minced
1 tablespoon Mediterranean seasoning (I used Greek Freak by Spiceology)
1 teaspoon salt, divided
8 ounces angel hair pasta
1/2 cup shredded Montasio cheese
1/4 cup chopped parsley
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Start water for pasta.
Season chicken breast on both sides with salt and Mediterranean seasoning.
Heat medium oven safe skillet over medium heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat to a shimmer, about 1 minute.
Add chicken and sear on one side. Flip chicken and place skillet in oven. Roast for approximately 15
minutes until internal temperature reaches 165. Remove from oven and set aside.
Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving about 1 cups pasta water.
Remove chicken from skillet. Add 1 cup pasta water to skillet, stir to loosen any cooking bits. Add parsley, remaining olive oil and black garlic. Simmer to reduce sauce by about 1/2 volume. Remove 1/2 the sauce, set aside. Add pasta toss to coat. Sprinkle with Montasio cheese.
Top pasta with sliced chicken, reserved sauce and additional Montasio cheese as desired.