tomato basil chicken pasta

This is a simple dish and one of our favorites. It's a regular in our dinner repertoire and we don't seem to ever get tired of it. It's quick to make (about 20 minutes), healthy, tasty, and only takes a few ingredients. What more can you ask for? My recipe is an estimate of the amounts I think I use, so adjust as needed, it's fool-proof.

Tomato Basil Chicken Pasta

3 cups multi-grain/whole wheat penne
1/2 pint grape tomatoes
1/2 cup fresh basil

1/2 pound cubed chicken tenders or breasts

olive oil

salt and pepper

grated Parmesan cheese

Makes about 4 servings

Dice tomatoes into halves and set aside. Loosely chop a generous amount of basil (about a 1/2 cup or so) and set aside. Bring a large pot of water to boil, add a dash of salt to flavor the pasta water and cook the pasta until it's al dente. While waiting for the pasta to cook cut the chicken into cubes. Spray a skillet with fat-free cooking spray, add the chicken, sprinkle with a little salt and pepper and cook until done. Set the chicken aside. When the pasta is done, drain the water and reserve about a cup of the pasta water. Dump the pasta back into your pot and add the chicken, tomatoes, and basil. Add 2 T of the reserved pasta water (or more as needed for a little moisture). Drizzle the mixture with olive oil, add a pinch of salt and pepper and stir together. Dish your pasta and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bon appetit!