Grilled Chicken Penne Alfresco

4 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced

2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes

3 cups uncooked mezze penne pasta

3 cups chicken broth

¾

cup dry white wine such as Chardonnay

½

teaspoon each salt and coarsely ground black pepper

1¼

cups lightly packed fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped, divided

1 ounce parmesan cheese, grated (about 1/4 cup packed), plus more for garnish

2 cups diced grilled chicken breasts

Spray a deep-sided stone baker with lid with olive oil. Add garlic and tomatoes; cover; microwave on HIGH 4 to 5 minutes or until tomatoes begin to burst, stirring after 2 minutes. Crush tomatoes in pan.

Add pasta, broth, wine, salt and black pepper. Return baker to microwave; cover and microwave on HIGH 16-18 minutes or until pasta is tender, stirring after 10 minutes.

Carefully remove baker from microwave and remove lid, lifting away from you. Add all but 2 tablespoons basil, cheese and chicken to baker; mix well. Garnish with reserved basil, additional cheese and black pepper, if desired.

Serves eight.

Cook's notes: An additional¾

cup chicken broth can be substituted for the wine, if desired. Any tube-shaped pasta requiring 9-11 minutes cook time, such as penne or rigatoni, can be substituted for the mezze penne pasta.

@Recipe nutrition:Nutrition values per serving (about 1 cup): 240 calories, 2.5 g fat (.5 saturated), 25 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 35 g protein, 25 mg cholesterol, 450 mg sodium.

Pampered Chef