Spicy Parmesan Chicken Pasta

Whew! It's been a few weeks since I've had the chance to stop and cook dinner, which you must know stresses me out. However, after this rainy, droopy day, I was in the mood for comfort food! I just threw this together out of items I had laying around and it turned out well. Use caution if you don't like spicy food.

Ingredients

• 3/4 box of ziti pasta (reserve 1 cup cooking liquid)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 2 Tbsp olive oil
• 2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 2 Boneless, skinless chicken breasts 
• 1/4 Cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese

Preparation

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain in a colander over a bowl, reserving 1 cup cooking liquid. Cut chicken into bite sized pieces.
• While pasta cooks, heat a large nonstick skillet coated with olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic; sauté 2 minutes. Add crushed red pepper; sauté 1 minute. Add chicken pieces, and sautee until browned.
• Add reserved pasta cooking liquid to pan; bring to a boil. Stir in salt, black pepper, chicken, and balsamic vinegar; bring to a boil. Stir in pasta, and cook 1 for minute or until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle with cheese.

Note: Sauce will thicken if you let it cool for a few minutes - delicious!