Recipe Of The For Monday 6/14/10- Chicken Penne Alla Vodka

I made Chicken Penne Alla Vodka  yesterday but I used stored bought Vodka Sauce. I was a little apprehensive because the sauce is kinda pink and didn't look very appetizing but it was delicious. Vodka Sauce tastes like a creamy, cheesy tomato sauce. Everyone enjoyed. My son had two servings :)

Next time I'll try to make the sauce from scratch. I bet it'll be even better than the jarred sauce!

12 ounces grilled, marinated chicken breast, cut up
(see Do Ahead recipe below)
8 garlic cloves, minced
6 scallions, chopped
¾ teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
14.5 ounce can diced tomatoes and juice
8 ounce can tomato sauce
1/3 cup vodka
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil
½ tsp dried oregano
Salt to taste
12 ounces penne pasta (try whole wheat!)
Parmesan cheese for topping
Sauté scallions and garlic in large sauce pan until slightly soft.  Add crushed red chilies, tomatoes, tomato sauce, vodka, basil, and oregano.  Simmer ingredients 5-10 minutes; add grilled chicken and heat through.  Meanwhile cook pasta according to package directions (about 10 minutes).  Drain the pasta and return to kettle.  Add sauce mixture to pasta and toss.  Season with salt to taste.  Top with grated Parmesan cheese.

Do ahead:
Grilled Chicken Breasts
2 breasts (6 ounces each)
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 small clove of garlic finely chopped
2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves (about 12 ounces)
Mix lemon juice, oil and garlic in shallow glass or plastic dish.  Place chicken in marinade, turn chicken to coat with marinade.  Refrigerate 10-15 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the portable grill about 5 minutes.
When the grill is hot, remove chicken from marinade, discard marinade and place the chicken on grill and cook about 5 minutes. Turn chicken over and grill another 3 minutes or until the juice is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut.