Tomato, Lemon, Chicken Pasta

If I am not making desserts to post here, I can at least post some of the foods I am making right? Maybe we take a healthy turn on this blog for a little bit at least. I just want to know for those of you currently pregnant or were pregnant, what foods did you have complete aversions to? 

Yesterday, I bought dinner to some friends of ours who recently adopted a baby. That is one of life's greatest joys, isn't it? To be able to help out when a baby becomes the newest member of someone's family. 

I brought them this pasta dish yesterday, it was easy to make and smelled wonderful. I didn't make enough for Sean and I to have for dinner so maybe I will make it again just for us.

To make this dish, you need, 2 1/2 cups dried pasta either cavatappi or rotini, 1 lb chicken breasts, 1 tablespoon olive oil, 3 garlic cloves, chopped, 1 can (14.5oz) petite diced tomatoes, 1 can (8oz.) tomato sauce, 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice, 1/2 cup whipped cream cheese or 4 oz. cubed regular cream cheese, 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest, 1/4 cup freshly chopped basil.

Cook your pasta according to the directions on the box, omitting the salt from the water. 

Drain and set aside until ready to add to the tomato sauce later on. In a nonstick skillet, heat up the olive oil and cook the cubed chicken breasts along with the chopped garlic. 

Cook the chicken thoroughly then remove from the skillet. Using the same pan, add the diced tomato, tomato sauce and lemon juice and heat up until it comes to a boil. 

Then add in the cream cheese and stir until it completely melts. 

Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes to allow the sauce to thicken. Add the chicken into the sauce and stir to mix. 

Sprinkle the lemon zest and chopped basil on top of the sauce. 

This is how to chop basil without bruising the leaves. You roll up the leaves then slice the basil like you would a loaf of bread except much thinner slices.

Finally, add the pasta to the chicken and sauce then stir to completely combine. 

Then serve, eat and enjoy. I provided a salad and homemade focaccia yesterday for dinner if you need suggestions.