Mediterranean Pasta

Wine and cheese course lovers rejoice because who knew mixed together they make a unique and insanely tasty pasta recipe! Sweet red grapes, tart Sicilian green olives, and succulent chicken tossed with pasta is truly the perfect pairing!

Dinnertime inspiration can come from any place and anytime when you shop with an open mind and an empty stomach. That’s exactly what happened last week when I was grocery shopping at the exact moment a demo was going on and a lady was going up and down aisles handing out samples for some chicken concoction that was just made.

It’s like the dinner god’s were giving me a sign. I had left over chicken breasts from the night before in my fridge and was there to get the ingredients for my creamy bacon, mushroom, and chicken pasta, but this, I just had to try this in pasta form and it was surprisingly good!

Now, I’ll be honest and say that it wasn’t my 7 year old daughter’s favorite, it’s definitely a more sophisticated dish, but if wine, cheese, grapes and olives make your tastebuds do a dance, then you’ll love this fun Mediterranean pasta dish!

Here’s what you’ll need…{serves 4-6 comfortably}

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked and diced into bite size pieces (mine)
1 lb. bow tie pasta (or similar)
about 1 cup of red seedless grapes, halved
about 1/4 cup green Sicilian olives, pitted and sliced
2 shallots, sliced thin
1/2 cup white wine
1/2 cup low sodium chicken stock
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon fresh oregano
salt and pepper to taste

**top with shredded Parmesan cheese

First, cook your pasta according to package directions, drain and set aside.
In a sauté pan, add olive oil and set heat to medium.
Add in your shallots. When they begin to soften, add in your grapes and olives.
After about 3 minutes, add in your cooked chicken to warm through. Season with salt and pepper.
Add in your wine, chicken stock, butter, vinegar, lemon juice, and fresh oregano. Cook together for about 5 minutes.
Add your pasta into the pan and toss together so the pasta absorbs the sauce.
Serve hot with shredded Parmesan on top