Garlic Basil Chicken Pasta

Instructions

1. Prepare Ingredients

   6 min hands-on

   • Dice the tomatoes into small chunks and set aside.
   • Finely chop the fresh basil leaves.
   • Mince the garlic.
   • Slice the chicken breasts into thin, even-sized fillets.

2. Create Tomato-Basil Sauce

   3 min hands-on11 min waiting

   • Heat half of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
   • Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
   • Stir in diced tomatoes and half the chopped basil. Cook on medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, for 10–12 minutes until tomatoes break down into a chunky sauce. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside and keep warm.

3. Cook the Pasta

   3 min hands-on10 min waiting

   • Cook the whole-grain pasta in boiling salted water until al dente. Drain, reserving about one cup of pasta water. Toss drained pasta with some tomato-basil sauce to prevent sticking.

4. Bread the Chicken

   5 min hands-on

   • Whisk the eggs in a shallow bowl until smooth.
   • In a separate dish, combine whole-grain flour, breadcrumbs, dried oregano, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
   • Dip each chicken fillet into the egg mixture, then press into the breadcrumb mixture, covering both sides evenly.

5. Cook the Chicken

   2 min hands-on11 min waiting

   • Heat the remaining olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
   • Add breaded chicken fillets to the skillet and cook for 4–5 minutes per side, or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and rest for 2 minutes before slicing.

6. Assemble the Dish

   3 min hands-on

   • Toss cooked pasta with the remaining tomato-basil sauce. Add reserved pasta water if needed to adjust consistency.
   • Divide pasta among serving plates, topping each with sliced chicken fillets and a sprinkle of remaining fresh basil.
   • Cooking tips:
   • For maximum juiciness, avoid overcooking the chicken; use a meat thermometer to check doneness.
   • If you prefer a smoother sauce, use a hand blender to purée the tomatoes before adding the basil.
   • Toast the breadcrumbs lightly in a dry pan before breading the chicken for extra crunch.
   • Adjust seasoning levels (salt, pepper, oregano) to suit your taste preferences.