Chicken Pasta Caprese

By Treebs

Ingredients

• 1 lb skinless, boneless chicken breasts, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Cooking spray or oil mister
• 9 oz pasta
• 4 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
• 6 garlic cloves, coarsely chopped
• 2 1/2 c halved grape tomatoes
• 1/4 c thinly sliced fresh basil
• 4 oz part-skim mozzarella cheese, cut into cubes

Details

Servings 5
Preparation time 30mins
Cooking time 30mins

Preparation

Step 1

Hear a lg nonstick skillet over high heat. Season the chicken with the dried basil, 1/4 tsp of salt, and black pepper to taste. Spray the skillet with oil and add the chicken. Cook until the chicken is cooked through, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer the chicken to a plate.

Cook the pasta to al dente in a pot of salted boiling water according to package directions. Drain, serving about 1/12 cup of the pasta water.

Meanwhile increase the heat under the skillet to high, add the olive oil and garlic, and cook, stirring, until golden, being careful not to burn it, about 1 minute. Add the tomatoes, 1/8 tsp salt, and black pepper to taste, and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring, until the tomatoes become tender, 5 to 6 minutes.

Add the pasta to the tomatoes. If the pasta seems too dry, add some of the reserved pasta water. Add the chicken and toss well. Remove the pan from the heat, stir in the fresh basil and cheese, and serve hot.