GRILLED CHICKEN PENNE AL FRESCO by Brenda Riden

It's getting hot. Using the microwave seems like a great way to keep the kitchen cool!


Grilled Chicken Penne al Fresco

4 garlic cloves, peeled 
2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes 
3 cups uncooked mezze penne pasta 
3 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup dry white wine such as Chardonnay*
1/2 tsp. each salt and coarsely ground black pepper 
1 1/4 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves, divided
1 oz. Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/4 cup packed) 
2 cups diced grilled chicken breasts
Additional grated fresh Parmesan cheese and coarsely ground black pepper (optional)

1. Spray Deep Covered Baker with olive oil using Kitchen Spritzer. Slice garlic into baker using Garlic Slicer. Add tomatoes. Cover; microwave on HIGH 4-5 minutes or until tomatoes begin to burst, stirring after 2 minutes. Crush tomatoes using Mix ‘N Chop. Add pasta, broth, wine, salt and black pepper.
2. Return baker to microwave; cover and microwave on HIGH 16-18 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring after 10 minutes. Meanwhile, coarsely chop basil with Chef's Knife. Reserve 2 tbsp. for garnish. Grate cheese using Rotary Grater.
3. Carefully remove baker from microwave and remove lid, lifting away from you. Add remaining basil, cheese and chicken to baker; mix well. Garnish with reserved 2 tbsp. basil, additional Parmesan cheese and black pepper, if desired.

Yield: 8 servings 

Nutrients per serving: Light (about 1 cup): Calories 240, Total Fat 2.5 g, Saturated Fat .5 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Carbohydrate 35 g, Protein 17 g, Sodium 450 mg, Fiber 2 g 

*Cook’s Tips: An additional 3/4 cup chicken broth can be substituted for the wine, if desired.

Any tube-shaped pasta requiring 9-11 minutes cook time, such as penne or rigatoni, can be substituted for the mezze penne pasta.

To grill chicken in the Grill Pan, season 2 chicken breasts, about 6 oz each, with salt and black pepper. Heat Grill Pan over medium-high heat 5 minutes. Spray pan with oil. Cook chicken 4-6 minutes or until grill marks appear. Turn chicken over; cook 4-6 minutes or until center of chicken is no longer pink and Digital Pocket Thermometer registers 170°F.

© 2013 The Pampered Chef used under license. www.pamperedchef.com

Brenda Riden
Pampered Chef Consultant
www.pamperedchef.biz/brendariden