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Monday, December 5, 2011

Balsamic Chicken Pasta and a Giveaway!

Although there may seem like a lot of ingredients in this dish, it's fairly simple to put together.  Along with the simplicity, it is quite delicious!  I think it could have used some goat cheese crumbles or even some fresh mozzarella, but other than that, it was pretty much perfect!

Now, before I get to the giveaway announcement (I know you can't wait!) I want to wish my sister, Tracy, a very happy birthday!!  My sister and I have not always gotten along so well, but fortunately, that changed as we got older.  I miss her dearly and wish I could be with her on this day, so I had to make sure to send out a special Happy Birthday to her!  So...

Happy Birthday Tracy!!! Love and miss you so very much!!!!

Now - the giveaway announcement!!! - Last week I showcased recipes using IndriVanilla Bourbon Java Vanilla Beans and because of my wonderful experience with them, I truly want all of you to experience them too.  Unfortunately, I cannot give you ALL vanilla beans, BUT, I can give one very lucky winner a sampling of each type of bean Whitney has in stock!  And all YOU have to do is leave a comment here telling me what the first recipe you will try out with your vanilla beans will be.  Simple.  Please do not leave comments as annonymous - or if you must, please make sure to leave your name and email address in the comment.  The giveaway ends Thursday, December 8th, at 8pm Pacific time.  The winner will be announced first thing Friday morning.  Good luck!

Balsamic Chicken Pasta
Created by Jenn's Food Journey
Printable Recipe 
Ingredients:
4 chicken tenders, chopped or sliced
salt and pepper
1/2 teaspoon Italian herb mix
1 Tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons balsamic vinegar
1 red pepper, sliced or chopped
1 pasilla (green) chili, sliced or chopped
10oz penne multi-grain penne pasta
2 Tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 garlic clove, finely minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons oregano
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon parsley
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Directions:
Place the chicken in a shallow dish; season with salt, pepper, and Italian herb mix.  Drizzle on 1 Tablespoon olive oil and 2 teaspoons balsamic.  Toss everything to combine.  Cover and let sit in refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

Heat a skillet over medium heat.  Spray with non-stick cooking spray.  Add the cut up chicken and saute until chicken is no longer pink in the middle; about 8 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions; drain.  In a large measuring cup, add the balsamic, garlic, salt, pepper, oregano, basil and parsley.  Slowly whisk in the olive oil.

Add the chicken to the pasta and pour balsamic mixture over.  Toss to coat.  Serve with warm Italian bread.  Enjoy!

One Year Ago:  My Sister

28 comments:

Meryl said...

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to your sis!!
The first thing I would do is make vanilla extract ;)

Debbie said...

What a nice picture of you with your sister. Two happy ladies! I would make a vanilla bean pound cake!!!!

Big Dude said...

I've been craving pasta and you've just made it worse - your shot is very appetizing.

Jewels said...

I would make vanilla ice cream!

Yenta Mary said...

Oh, so much to say! First of all, Happy Birthday, Tracy! Secondly, this pasta dish is GORGEOUS - so much color and flavor! And as for the vanilla beans ... given that I'm in the midst of Christmas cooking/baking, I'd either make some simple cookies that let the vanilla flavor shine brightly, or I'd make vanilla sugar to then use in everything I made further down the road ....

StephenC said...

Definitely it would have to be vanilla ice cream.

Mary Bergfeld said...

The pasta is gorgeous to look at and I suspect it tastes every bit as good as it looks. I hope you and your sister both have a great day. Blessings...Mary

Mary said...

Happy Birthday to Tracy! This dish looks wonderful too. I haven't made a balsamic dish in a while; so I just put one on my meal plan. I totally wish I had some of your leftovers in my fridge right now.

Cranberry Morning said...

What a sweet photo!! Happy Birthday to your sister. :-)

And the recipe? This is definitely my kind of food. LOVE IT!

The Belfields said...

Vanilla extract will be my first recipe. Then vanilla bean frosting. Mmmmm! And thanks to IndriVanilla for leading me to your blog. Yay!

Maureen said...

(Let's try this again, and hoping my comment posts in it's entirety.)

I will be making my very vanilla cupcakes and vanilla bean buttercream. I will also make my vanilla chai latte mix for gifts to warm the soul.

Anonymous said...

Vanilla Extract! I just wish I'd thought if it months ago. It would make amazing Christmas gifts.

Unknown said...

Lovely Lovely pasta dish....now what would be a good recipe to start off with - I have to go with some granola...I have been craving it.

Liz said...

With the different grades? Vanilla paste, vanilla extract with one. And th ultimate vanilla cupcake with vanilla frosting with the other grades!

Pam said...

The pasta looks delicious! The vanilla bean giveaway is awesome - I would make some sort of holiday treat with the beans.

HB to your sister!

Frugal Tumbleweed Acres said...

Happy Birthday to your Sis.
The first thing I would do is try my hand at making vanilla.
gourdsrmylife(at)yahoo(dot)com

Katie said...

Ahhh that pasta would be fabulous with goat cheese. As for the vanilla, I'd definitely make some vanilla simple syrup to drizzle in my morning coffee. Yum!

Chris said...

I would have to do some crazy version of creme brulee.

Andrea the Kitchen Witch said...

One of the savory chicken dishes with vanilla is what I'd try! Happy bday to your sister :) Great giveaway Jenn!!

Megan said...

Vanilla bean-nutmeg shake with blackberry swirl :)

Tracy McMullen said...

Vanilla Bean White Chocolate Cheesecake, or as I like to call it, Heaven in a Pan! A little bit of everything in one bite.

Happy Birthday to your sister!!

Jenny Sunshine said...

ice cream- i love a simple vanilla ice cream with little vanille seed flecks in it! (and I guess I will have to make an apple pie for the hubby to go with it)

Andrea said...

I would love to make some good vanilla ice cream with the vanilla beans. Thanks for the chance to enter.

Andrea D.
short74717@msn.com

christopher sorel said...

i would make some vanilla bean cookies cjsorel@hotmail.com

Cheryl said...

I would definitely make an infused vanilla bean Vodka. Then I would make the most heavenly vanilla vodka cream sauce over pan seared sea scallops.

dizzybloom(at)gmail(dot)com

Chats the Comfy Cook said...

I would make your peanut butter pie with the vanilla bean whipped cream topping.

Scraphappy said...

Yummy vanilla sugar!