Penne Arrabiata is one of my hubby's all-time favorite meals.
I often make this dish with different tomato sauces, but the basic concept is always the same: spicy tomato sauce, grilled chicken, fresh mozzarella mini balls, penne pasta, fresh basil served with a side tomato/mozzarella/balsamic salad (to use up some more of the basil and mozzarella you use in the pasta).
Lacheteau loire-valley white wine - a cross between riesling and pinot grigio. Light and just sweet enough. I sampled this at Trader Joe's this past weekend and fell in love at first sip.
After gathering my ingredients and getting some pasta water done and chicken cooking in the griller, I poured myself some vino to sip on whilst cooking.
I usually make my arrabiata sauce using some canned tomatoes, some fresh tomatoes, and lots of pepper, but I recently picked up this jar of Arrabiata sauce at Trader Joe's and was looking for a short cut tonight.
While my pasta cooked and chicken grilled away, I made another mozzarella caprese-like salad (made before dinner was ready so the flavors could mesh) - click here for "recipe."
I chopped extra tomatoes to toss into the Arrabiata sauce since I had them on hand.
Penne Arrabiata needs lots of spicy! Red pepper flakes are a must.
Grilled chicken, allowed to rest, then sliced.
Pasta, chicken, and Arrabiata sauce.
A few minutes before you're ready to eat, add a few mini mozzarella balls to the top of the pasta, turn off the heat, and cover the pot.
A few minutes later - ooey, gooey, melty deliciousness in the form of mozzarella!
Here's a close-up...mmm....
Serve
Top with fresh basil and enjoy!!
Chicken Penne Arrabiata with Mozzarella and Basil
by me
Serves 2-3
Ingredients:
- .5-1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1/2 box penne pasta
- mini mozzarella balls
- 1 large jar tomato sauce (I used Trader Joe's Arrabiata sauce)
- fresh tomato (I used a handful or two of cherry/roma tomatoes, chopped)
- red pepper flakes
- non-stick spray
- salt + pepper
- fresh basil, rinsed, chopped
- aluminum foil
Directions:
- Spray an electric griller with non-stick cooking spray. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Grill chicken till cooked through. (I used an electric grill that didn't require pre-heating time). Once chicken is cooked through, remove to cutting board and cover with aluminum foil tent.
- Meanwhile, boil water for pasta in a medium-large pot. Add salt and pasta to water and cook a couple minutes under recommended cooking time.
- Once pasta done, drain in colander. Rinse pasta with cool water to stop cooking. Add sauce and chopped tomatoes to the pot you used to cook the pasta. Cook over medium heat till sauce starts to boil, lower to simmer. Stir in a dash (or 2...or 3...depending on how hot you like it) of red pepper flakes. Season with salt and pepper as needed.
- Once sauce is simmering, add chicken. Cook till chicken heated through (about 2-3 minutes).
- Add pasta to pot. Cook till pasta heated through (about 1-2 minutes).
- Top pasta with several balls of mozzarella (try to space them out - they will stick together if they touch). Turn heat off and cover pot.
- Once mozzarella has melted down a bit, serve the pasta and top with the fresh basil. Enjoy!
It doesnt have anything to do with the pasta, but tonight's dessert will be an adora (dark chocolate calcium supplement). I get to eat this little piece of chocolate as soon as I'm done blogging. I hope I like it! A mini dessert of dark chocolate will be the perfect dessert for this dinner...I always overeat on Penne Arrabiata night because it's so delish!
The picture of the gooey melty cheese won me over! this is one good looking dish! The sauce sounds lovely! I wish we had TJ's here! I wonder is WF might have something similar, I will look! :)
Posted by: Jen @ MaplenCornbread | August 11, 2009 at 10:58 PM
That looks HEAVENLY!
Posted by: Leah | August 11, 2009 at 11:51 PM
Beautiful dinner! i would definitely eat more than my share if that was in my bowl :)
Posted by: katecooks | August 12, 2009 at 01:22 AM
Oh wow, that looks so good and fresh!
Posted by: Rosey Rebecca | August 12, 2009 at 06:23 AM
Absolutely delicious dinner!! I love any combination of pasta, marinara, mozzarella & basil.
Posted by: Eve | August 12, 2009 at 10:19 AM
Nice choice for dinner! One of my faves, too. I love the close-up pics and your step-by-step documentation. Now I'm hungry...
Posted by: Nicole | August 12, 2009 at 08:04 PM
the melty mozarella makes me want to go make this right now!
Posted by: Amanda | August 12, 2009 at 08:35 PM
Ok Diana -- this recipe looks DELICIOUS! When I first started reading and you mentioned the ingredients I thought ...hmmm, can I just guess on this stuff? I'd decided no...and then I read on and viola -- you have the recipe -- Thank you SO much!!!
Posted by: Thimbleanna | August 13, 2009 at 05:30 PM
I cooked this and I'm telling you I'd rather suck a dying cow's udder in the hot hot sun..
Sarah Tew
Bournemouth
Posted by: sarah tew | July 24, 2010 at 02:43 PM
Sorry to hear! I've had many people tell me they loved it. Sorry it didn't work out for you. :(
Posted by: Diana @ The Chic Life | July 24, 2010 at 03:03 PM
That takes some work. There's really no need for a bib when you're munching on blue crabs in Baltimore, but I see why you need one for these.
Posted by: viagra online | August 23, 2010 at 01:47 PM
Very good, and easy. No mess other than from the pan to the dishes. My guy thought the sauce was the expensive kind. Not bad for 2.99... the whole thing cost less than 20. :)
Posted by: Vic | November 09, 2010 at 10:04 PM
Glad you liked it!
Be sure to check out my other recipes at my new blog location: http://thechiclife.com
:) Diana
Posted by: Diana @ The Chic Life | November 09, 2010 at 10:15 PM
This is my husband's favourite dish too. Simple, delicious and full of flavour. Basil, garlic, cheese and tomatoes many a great meal makes!
Posted by: amanda570 | December 20, 2010 at 12:27 PM