Ingredients
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 pound rigatoni, penne rigate, penne or ziti
1 small rotisserie chicken (about 1 3/4 pounds) or about 2 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced (about 2 packed cups)
5 large garlic cloves, finely chopped or grated
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1 cup chicken stock (see Tip)
1/2 cup heavy cream (optional)
8 to 10 ounces baby kale or spinach, or chopped chard or other cooking greens
1 juicy lemon, zested then halved
Parmesan, for serving
Directions
1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Season generously with salt and cook the pasta until al dente, then drain pasta.
2
While the pasta is cooking, prep the chicken: Separate the skin from the meat and separate the meat from the bones; discard the bones and shred the meat into bite-size pieces. Season the chicken meat with 1 1/2 teaspoons pepper and salt to taste. Gather the skin in a mound on a cutting board; slice it thinly then finely chop it and set aside.
3
Place a Dutch oven or large heavy pot over medium heat and add the butter. Once melted and bubbling, add onions, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring and pressing often with a spatula or wooden spoon to help them cook down faster, until very soft, translucent and almost jammy with golden brown edges, about 10 minutes. Stir in the garlic and mustard and cook until very fragrant and softened, about 2 minutes.
4
Turn the heat up to high, add 3/4 cup stock and the heavy cream (if using) and scrape up any browned bits on the bottom of the pot. Bring to a simmer, then stir in the pasta, seasoned chicken and the skin. In small handfuls, add the greens, stirring until wilted and tender. Turn off the heat, add the lemon zest and juice the lemon halves over the top; stir again. Add the remaining 1/4 cup stock if more sauciness is desired.
5
Sprinkle with grated Parmesan. Serve immediately, with more pepper and salt to taste.
Notes
If you don’t have chicken stock on hand, reserve 1 cup pasta cooking water before draining the pasta and use it instead.