Creamy Chicken & Basil Pasta

If you’re house is hectic as ours, you can certainly appreciate quick and easy meals… that are healthy too! And did you know that October is National Pasta Month?! I joined forces with my friends at Dream and they are celebrating by featuring 31 different recipes – one for each day of the month – and with a variety of themes. From October 4-10, Dreamfields is highlighting Stovetop Savior recipes and one of my favorites is this one for Creamy Basil Chicken Pasta…

This pasta dish combines chicken, basil, and tomato in a creamy parmesan cheese sauce with perfectly cooked linguine pasta. The dish can be made all on the stovetop in less than 30 minutes with minimal ingredients! Leftovers are great too and the fresh flavors of basil and tomato really shine through.

CREAMY CHICKEN & BASIL PASTA

Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes

1 box Dreamfields Linguine 
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 
1 cup (1%) milk 
1/2 cup chicken broth 
2/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese 
Salt 
Pepper 
1 1/2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded 
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil 
1/2 cup diced fresh tomato 
Chopped fresh basil 

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Place pasta in large bowl; set aside.

2. Meanwhile, heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add flour; whisk to combine (mixture will be clumpy). Slowly whisk in milk and broth, stirring until smooth. Whisk in cheese. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Add chicken and basil; cook 5 minutes or until heated through, stirring occasionally. 

3. Add chicken mixture to pasta; toss to combine. Serve topped with tomato and fresh basil.

Makes 6 servings.

Nutrition information (1/6 of recipe): 390 calories; 25 g protein; 50 g carbohydrates; 11 g total fat;  3 g saturated fat; 40 mg cholesterol; 290 mg sodium;  6 g total dietary fiber.