Easy Bistro Chicken

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 4 (6-ounce) chicken breast halves, skinned
• 4 chicken thighs (about 1 pound), skinned
• 4 chicken drumsticks (about1 pound), skinned
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 4 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
• 1/2 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup sliced green olives
• 1/4 cup capers
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• Dash of ground red pepper
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 (28-ounce) can Italian-style tomatoes, undrained and chopped
• 8 cups hot cooked macaroni or cavatappi
• Parsley sprigs (optional)

Preparation

Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken breast halves to pan; sauté 2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Remove from pan. Add 1 1/2 teaspoons oil and remaining chicken pieces; sauté 2 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Remove chicken from pan.

Heat 1 tablespoon oil in pan. Add onion and garlic; sauté 5 minutes. Add celery; sauté 5 minutes. Add basil and next 8 ingredients (basil through tomatoes). Return chicken to pan; bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 20 minutes.

Uncover and simmer 25 minutes or until chicken is tender. Discard bay leaves. Serve with pasta. Garnish with parsley sprigs, if desired.

Chicken Puttanesca with Angel Hair Pasta

Ingredients

• 8 ounces uncooked angel hair pasta
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• 4 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 cups tomato-basil pasta sauce (such as Muir Glen Organic)
• 1/4 cup pitted and coarsely chopped kalamata olives
• 1 tablespoon capers
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) preshredded Parmesan cheese
• Chopped fresh basil or basil sprigs (optional)

Preparation

Cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and keep warm.

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces. Add chicken to pan; sprinkle evenly with salt. Cook chicken 5 minutes or until lightly browned, stirring occasionally. Stir in pasta sauce, olives, capers, and pepper; bring to a simmer. Cook 5 minutes or until chicken is done, stirring frequently. Arrange 1 cup pasta on each of 4 plates; top with 1 1/2 cups chicken mixture. Sprinkle each serving with 1 tablespoon cheese. Garnish with chopped basil or basil sprigs, if desired.