Chicken, cherry tomatoes and arugula in Vodka Sauce

This is a Lidia recipe. I've been fortunate to get to eat at one of her restaurants (Pittsburgh) and I made it mine by adding some chicken to it for protein.  We ,as in hubby and I, eat too much pasta (He's so Italian) so I must get a protein in with some of our meals.  A good choice is chicken or shrimp. Today it'll be some good healthy chicken.

By the way this is a first time using Arugula in a recipe.  I usually use spinach....

• 1 pound pasta 
• 1 lb. chicken tenders or chicken cut into small pieces (optional)
• 3 cups cherry tomatoes (about 1 pound), rinsed
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 pound arugula 
• 1/2 cup Pecorino Romano
• salt

1. 
   
   Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to boil. Sprinkle in a few tablespoons of salt. When boiling, add the pasta and cook according to the direction on the box. With about six minutes left in the time, add the arugula to the pot. Reserve half a cup of pasta water, and drain the pasta and arugula. 
2. 
   
   Turn the skillet with the tomatoes back to medium high, and then toss in the pasta and arugula. Stir together, and cook for a minute or so, adding some of the reserved pasta water if it is too dry. Season with extra salt and freshly grated cheese.