Mmmm Mmmm Monday; Grilled Chicken Penne al Fresco

This is another Pampered Chef recipe. And it's actually a microwave recipe! I have to be honest, I was a little hesitant at first because of that fact, but decided to try it anyway. I should never have doubted the Pampered Chef, because I was pleasantly surprised. It was delicious!



Grilled Chicken Penne al Fresco
4 cloves garlic, peeled
2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes
3 cups uncooked penne pasta (or any tube shaped pasta requiring 9-11 minutes cook time)
3 cups chicken broth
3/4 cup dry white wine (I used an additional 3/4 cup of the chicken broth, because I didn't have any wine)
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
1-1/4 cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves
1 oz Parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/4 cup packed)
2 cups diced grilled chicken breasts (I used the pre-cooked grilled chicken strips by Tyson that you get in the lunchmeat section at the store. It just made it easier for me.)


Slice garlic into a 2 qt glass baking/casserole dish. Add tomatoes. Cover; microwave on high 4-5 minutes or until tomatoes begin to burst, stirring after 2 minutes. Crush tomatoes. Add pasta, broth, wine, salt and black pepper.


Return dish to microwave; cover and microwave on high 12-18 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring after 10 minutes. Meanwhile, coarsely chop basil. Reserve 2 Tbsp for garnish, if desired. Grate your Parmesan cheese as well.


Carefully remove dish from microwave and remove lid, making sure to lift it away from you. Add basil, cheese and chicken to dish and mis well. Garnish with reserved 2 Tbsp basil, additional Parmesan cheese, and more black pepper, if desired.