Mexican-Style Pasta With Chicken and Peppers

Ingredients

• 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
• 1 minced garlic clove
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
• 4 plum tomatoes, well drained or 6 whole canned tomatoes, well drained
• 3 scallions
• 1 large green bell pepper
• 3/4 lb vermicelli or other thin pasta
• 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 (4 ounce) can chopped mild green chilies, drained
• 1/4 teaspoon salt (omit if using regular chicken broth)
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro stem (optional)

Directions

1. 1

   In a medium saucepan, bring the chicken broth, garlic, cumin and chili powder to a boil over medium-high heat.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, coarsely chop the tomatoes, scallions and bell pepper. Break the vermicelli into 2-inch pieces.

3. 3

   Add the chicken to the boiling broth, reduce the heat to medium-low, cover and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 10 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside to cool slightly.

4. 4

   In a large nonstick skillet, warm the oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the vermicelli and cook, stirring, until the vermicelli is lightly browned, about 2 minutes.

5. 5

   Add the broth mixture, tomatoes, scallions, bell pepper, green chilies and salt, and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the pasta is cooked, about 7 minutes.

6. 6

   Meanwhile, shred the chicken. Mince the cilantro (if using).

7. 7

   Stir the shredded chicken and cilantro into the pasta mixture and serve hot.