Penne with Chicken, Arugula, Roasted Tomatoes, and Mozzarella
(Penne con Pollo, Rucola, Pomodori Arrosto, e Mozzarella)
Ingredients:
Three 12-ounce bags cherry tomatoes
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
5 large garlic cloves, chopped
3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
2 cups shredded roasted chicken breasts without skin (from purchased roast chicken)
8 ounces Penne pasta
6 cups arugula leaves
1/2 cup crumbled mozzarella cheese (about 3 ounces)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 475°F.
Mix cherry tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, and crushed red pepper on rimmed baking sheet.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Bake until tomatoes are soft and beginning to brown in spots, stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes.
Transfer tomato mixture, including any juices, from sheet to large skillet.
Add chicken to skillet and simmer until heated through, about 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until 'al dente', stirring occasionally.
Ladle out 1/4 cup pasta cooking water and reserve.
Drain pasta; return to pot.
Add tomato mixture, arugula, and reserved 1/4 cup pasta cooking water to pasta; toss over medium heat just until arugula begins to wilt, about 30 seconds.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Transfer pasta to bowl. Sprinkle with mozzarella cheese and serve. Makes 4 servings.