- 2 red frying peppers or red bell peppers
- 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (EVOO), divided
- 1 pound boneless, skinless, chicken thighs or breasts, chopped into bite-size pieces
- Salt and pepper
- 1/2 pound crimini mushrooms, thinly sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 4 cloves garlic, chopped or thinly sliced
- 2 cubanelle (green mild frying) peppers, halved lengthwise, seeded, then thinly sliced
- 2 fresh Italian hot cherry peppers or Fresno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
- 1/4-1/3 cup Marsala wine or dry sherry
- 1 can Italian tomatoes (28 ounces)
- A few leaves of fresh basil, torn
- 1 cup half-and-half or heavy cream
- 1 pound rigatoni or whole wheat rigatoni
- Grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
Char the red peppers over an open flame or under a hot broiler. If broiling, leave the oven door ajar to allow some of the steam to escape. Place the charred peppers in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and cool. Peel and seed the peppers, then quarter lengthwise. Slice and reserve.
Bring a large pot of water to a boil for the pasta.
Heat 1 tablespoon EVOO, one turn of the pan, in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken liberally with salt and pepper, then add the chicken pieces to the skillet in a single layer. Brown evenly on both sides, 5-6 minutes total, then remove to a plate.
To the skillet, add the remaining EVOO, three turns of the pan, then the mushrooms. Brown the mushrooms for 5-6 minutes, then add the onion, garlic, cubanelle peppers and chili peppers. Season with salt and pepper and sauté to soften, 6-7 minutes more. Deglaze the pan with the Marsala or sherry, then add the tomatoes and break them up with a spoon or masher. Reduce the heat to medium-low to simmer. Add the torn basil leaves, reserved sliced roasted peppers and the chicken back to the skillet and stir in the half-and-half or cream. Let the sauce thicken while the pasta cooks.
When the water is boiling, add salt and the rigatoni and cook the pasta to al dente. Reserve a cup of the starchy cooking water to toss with the pasta sauce just before draining.
Toss the chicken with the “riggies” and use a splash or two of the starchy water as needed to combine. Toss in a little cheese, then serve in shallow bowls. Pass more cheese at the table.