Pasta & Chicken (or Kielbasa)

This is a quick and easy recipe for those busy days.

Ingredients

1/2 package to 3/4 package Penne Pasta

2 chicken breasts, cooked and chopped into bite-size pieces (or left over cooked chicken about 2 cups chopped)

1 Kielbasa can be substituted for the chicken.

1/2 medium onion, chopped

1/2 yellow bell pepper, chopped

1/2 red bell pepper, chopped

2-3 cloves garlic, minced

Salt and pepper to taste

1/2 teaspoon minced onion

Optional items can be added:

1 medium tomato, cut into bite size pieces

4 medium mushrooms, chopped into slices

1/4 cup yellow zucchini, chopped

3 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1 1/2 teaspoons crushed basil or Italian herbs, or herbs de province.

Directions

Sauté onion and bell peppers until onion is just translucent. Add minced garlic, salt, pepper, and minced onion and cook 3 minutes more (the mushrooms, and yellow zucchini can be added at this point.)  Add cooked chicken (or Kielbasa) and cook until warm (approximately 3-5 minutes.) The optional chopped tomatoes should be added during the last 2 minutes of cooking. Meanwhile Cook pasta according to package directions and drain water.

Combine the 3 tablespoons olive oil, salt, pepper, and herbs. Stir until combined.

In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken mixture and olive oil mixture. Toss to coat and serve.