Yeah! So excited that my friend Barbara invited me to her house and let me photograph her recipe for Grilled Chicken Penne al Fresco. The entire dish is done in the microwave. I didn’t believe her at first. I NEVER thought to make pasta in the microwave!! But on those days when you don’t want a ton of pots to clean up and are just looking for something TASTY and EASY to make – consider the below recipe.
Barbara was inspired by a Pampered Chef recipe she found online.
Ingredients:
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)
Step 1. Spray Deep Covered Baker with olive oil. Slice garlic into baker.
Step 2: Add tomatoes. Cover; microwave on HIGH 4-5 minutes or until tomatoes begin to burst, stirring after 2 minutes. Crush tomatoes.
(Please note: Barbara doubled up the recipe because she was cooking for 4 adults and 5 children)
Just a few more steps until this puppy is DONE! Click on the continue reading link below to see the step by step shots AND a photo of the kids enjoying it.
Step 3: Add pasta, broth, wine, salt and black pepper.
Step 4: 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. Reserve 2 tbsp for garnish. Grate cheese using Rotary Grater.
Step 5: 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.
Step 6: Enjoy!