Pasta With Roasted Chicken & Peppers Quick & Easy

This is such a busy time of year and I like making dishes that don't require spending hours in the kitchen to get supper on the table.

This is the second recipe in my "Quick and Easy" series of three recipes for this season. The key is to plan ahead and cook when you have the time. Then the prep for dinner is quick and easy.

This chicken and pasta dish is one of grampy's favorites. It's so simple you can make it 'quick and easy' in 30 minutes. It's also flexible -- you can add any vegetable you like, or not add vegetables - it's all up to you and what you have available. You can add mushrooms, spinach, broccoli, etc.

Roasting a double portion of chicken gives you options to make a couple of meals from the one roast. This week I roasted 2 large chicken breasts.

TIP: #1. Roast chicken in advance.

#2. For quicker prep in this recipe, cut up the red pepper in 1 to 1 1/2 inch chunks. Partially cook them in the boiling water that is for the pasta. Boil them for 3 minutes, remove them with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels, leaving the water to continue to boil for the pasta.

This will make the prep for the pasta sauce much quicker.

Pasta With Roasted Chicken & Peppers
Ingredients

• 1 box #Dreamfields Penne pasta (or your favorite pasta)
• 2 TBLS. olive oil
• 1 small red pepper
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 1 clove roasted garlic**
• 1 can chicken broth
• leftover sliced chicken breast
• salt & pepper to taste
• 1 TBLS. chopped fresh parsley

Directions

1. Fill a 4 quart pot with water set on high heat to boil water.
2. Cut the red pepper in 1 to 1 1/2 inch chunks and place in the boiling water for 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from boiling water and drain on paper towels. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package directions.
3. In a saute pan heat the oil on medium heat and add in the peppers. Saute them for 5 minutes and then add in the shallots and garlic. Continue to saute until softened, approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
4. Add in the chicken broth and cook until it comes to a boil, reduce heat to simmer and add the sliced chicken breasts.
5. Continue to simmer while the pasta cooks.
6. Drain pasta and add it back into the pot. Add the sauce to the pasta and gently stir to combine.
7. Serve in a shallow pasta dish. Add chopped parsley.

**When planning ahead for your meals roast garlic to have ready to add to your recipes. Here is an easy way to roast garlic.