Tomato Cheese Pasta With Baked Chicken Recipe
Summary
Difficulty LevelEasyHealth IndexJust Enjoy
Ingredients
| 4 to 6 whole chicken legs, thighs attached (2 to 3 lbs. total) | ||
| Cavatappi | 8 Ounce, shaped | |
| Olive oil | 1 Tablespoon | |
| Package cream cheese | 1 Large | |
| Butter margarine | 1/2 Cup (16 tbs) | |
| Parmesan cheese | 1/3 Cup (16 tbs), grated | |
| 3 medium-size pear-shaped (Roma-type) tomatoes (about 6 oz. total), chopped | ||
| Chopped basil | 1 Tablespoon | |
| Fresh basil sprigs | ||
Directions
Rinse chicken legs, pat dry, and place, skin sides up, in a single layer in a shallow rimmed baking pan.
Bake, uncovered, in a 400° oven for 35 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a 5- to 6-quart pan, cook pasta in 3 quarts boiling water just until tender to bite (8 to 10 minutes); or cook according to package directions.
Drain; place in a shallow 2- to 3-quart baking dish, lightly mix in oil, and set aside.
In a medium-size bowl, combine Neufchatel cheese, butter, and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese; beat with an electric mixer until well blended.
Mound cheese mixture over center of pasta; sprinkle tomatoes over cheese mixture.
When chicken has baked for 35 minutes, place cheese-topped pasta in oven.
Bake, uncovered, until pasta is hot in center and meat near chicken thighbone is no longer pink; cut to test (about 10 minutes).
If desired, arrange chicken over pasta around edge of baking dish.
Sprinkle with chopped basil and remaining Parmesan cheese; garnish with basil sprigs.
Bake, uncovered, in a 400° oven for 35 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a 5- to 6-quart pan, cook pasta in 3 quarts boiling water just until tender to bite (8 to 10 minutes); or cook according to package directions.
Drain; place in a shallow 2- to 3-quart baking dish, lightly mix in oil, and set aside.
In a medium-size bowl, combine Neufchatel cheese, butter, and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese; beat with an electric mixer until well blended.
Mound cheese mixture over center of pasta; sprinkle tomatoes over cheese mixture.
When chicken has baked for 35 minutes, place cheese-topped pasta in oven.
Bake, uncovered, until pasta is hot in center and meat near chicken thighbone is no longer pink; cut to test (about 10 minutes).
If desired, arrange chicken over pasta around edge of baking dish.
Sprinkle with chopped basil and remaining Parmesan cheese; garnish with basil sprigs.
Chef
