Chicken with Vodka Sauce

Need an easy, delicious pasta recipe to serve for family and/or company? Try this one. My kids weren't as enthused as my husband and parents, but I think they'll come around.

Chicken with Vodka Sauce
~recipe adapted from Great Chicago Italian Recipes

1 box penne pasta

4 boneless chicken breasts, cut into pieces

1 Tbls olive oil (original used 3!)

1 Tbls butter

1 bunch long green onions, chopped

1 green bell pepper diced

3 cloves of garlic crushed

2 or 3 oz of vodka

3 15oz. cans of tomato sauce

5 fresh basil leaves, chopped (or 1 t. or so dried)

1 tsp of salt

1 tsp of fresh ground black pepper

8 oz of mascarpone cheese (I used low fat cream cheese)

1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup of chopped fresh parsley

Freshly grated Parmesan cheese 

PREPARATION

Add 6 quarts of water to a large pot and cook the pasta until "al dente". Around 10 minutes. Set aside.

Melt butter in oil and sauté the chicken pieces for 2 minutes.

Add the onions, peppers and garlic and cook for another for 2 minutes.

Add vodka to deglaze the pan until vodka reduces slightly.

Add tomato sauce and basil and cook for about 10 minutes longer.

Season with salt and pepper.

Add cream and mascarpone cheese and stir until cheese in melted.

Simmer for around 15 minute more but do not bring to a boil.

Plate the pasta and spoon the sauce over the top.

Sprinkle with parsley and Parmesan cheese. 

~Serves 4-6 people generously