Penne Pasta with Chicken and Tomato Vegetable Sauce

Other than delicious, I don’t really know what to call this simple dish. It would have made my Aunt Gloria very proud though. It would have been a dish she would have created, using what she had and just throwing it all together. And that’s exactly what I did too. This is how I learned to cook, and I often go back to this deliciously fun way of cooking.

I had some leftover Costco chicken I wanted to use and I felt like pasta. I always love throwing in as many vegetables into a dish as I can too. So I just tossed everything in and this is what I came up with. 🙂

1 lb of cooked chicken, cut into strips

6-7 tomatoes diced – I used both vine ripened and Campari tomatoes

4-5 mushrooms, sliced

1 cup frozen corn

1/2 red bell pepper, sliced into thin matchsticks

1/2 orange bell pepper, sliced into thin matchsticks

1/4 onion, sliced thin

1 TBSP garlic

1 cup green beans, tips removed and cut into pieces about 1 inch long

salt & pepper to taste

1-2 tsp each dried oregano, basil, thyme and Herbs de Provence

1 tsp red pepper flakes or to taste

1 cup dry white wine

olive oil for cooking

penne pasta

The hardier vegetables were cooked first in a hot skillet with olive oil. Cook them for about 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently, or until softened a bit.

Add the tomatoes and spices and mix everything together well.

Add the wine and bring everything to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and add the chicken slices.

Cook at a low heat for about 20 minutes, stirring frequently until the vegetables are tender, but still a little al dente. Serve over cooked penne pasta and top with Parmigiano cheese if you like. I served some of my famous garlic, herb cheese bread on the side, with a cool, crisp Italian white wine to complete the meal. I went with a white wine instead of a red because the sauce is a light sauce with chicken. If I was serving it with a heavier red sauce, I would have served it with a medium-full bodied red wine.

In no time at all, I had a quick, easy-peasy, healthy and delicious meal. It was loaded with all kinds of fresh vegetables and goodness. You can easily substitute shrimp or add the shrimp with the chicken. Or if you like, you can have it with just the vegetables. Either way, I promise you’re going to love this one. !Mangia!

Have a great day and make everyday great. Stay cool, stay safe and stay well. ‘Til next time.