Basil Chicken with Bow Tie Pasta

This dish was really different. I am glad I found it searching on the Family Fun Magazine website. It is rare to find a pasta dish with little to no cheese. I also used the Barilla Plus brand of whole grain pasta with extra protein and Omega 3-s. Any type of pasta you have on hand would work fine, though.

Ingredients

• 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut into 1-inch pieces
• 2 tbsp. flour
• 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped

• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• 1 29-oz. can diced tomatoes
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped or 2 tbsp dried basil
• 1 16-oz. box pasta (penne, bow tie or ziti)
• Parmesan or Romano cheese (optional)
• Instructions

1. Pat chicken pieces dry with paper towel. Coat chicken pieces in flour and pepper.
   
2. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken, onion and garlic. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until chicken is no longer pink and onion is clear.
   
3. Add chopped tomatoes and basil. Reduce heat to simmer. Cover pan, and let simmer for 15 minutes.
   
4. While sauce is simmering, prepare pasta according to package directions in a large saucepan.
   
5. To serve, pour sauce over pasta. Garnish with Parmesan or Romano cheese, if desired.