Prep Time: 25 mins Cook Time: 20 mins
Ready in: 45 mins
Servings: 6
"This is Utica, New York's specialty dish. Rigatoni (riggies) pasta is paired with chicken and spicy peppers in a creamy red/white sauce. Some other popular additions are mushrooms and black olives."
Ingredients:
1 (16 ounce) package rigatoni pasta
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 pounds skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut in bite-sized pieces
Salt and pepper to taste
1 onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cubanelle pepper, seeded and thinly sliced
3 roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
2 hot cherry peppers, seeded and minced
1 jar Grandpa Pete’s Vodka Sauce
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
*Substitute sausage or shrimp for chicken for a twist!*
Instructions:
1. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the rigatoni pasta, and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes; drain and keep warm.
2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and cook in the hot oil until lightly browned on all sides, and no longer pink in the center, about 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pan, and keep warm. Stir the onion, garlic, and cubanelle peppers. Cook and stir until the onion has softened, about 4 minutes. Add the roasted red peppers, hot cherry peppers, and Grandpa Pete's Vodka Sauce. Bring to a simmer, then stir in cooked chicken. Simmer 2 or 3 minutes, then stir in the pasta. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese to serve.