Baked Feta Pasta with Chicken and Spinach

I decided to try a baked feta pasta recipe - it was yummy!

Ingredients:

• 1 pint cherry tomatoes  or fresh diced tomatoes (10 ounces)
• 4 ounce block feta cheese
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• Pinch crushed red pepper flakes, optional
• 8 ounces chicken breast
• 5 ounces dried pasta of choice, cooked
   
• 1 garlic clove minced (add after baking)
  
• 1/8 cup packed chopped fresh basil  (add after baking)
• 1 teaspoon fresh oregano leaves (add after baking)
  
• 1 cup baby spinach, julienned (add after baking)
  

 

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Place the tomatoes in an oven-safe baking dish.
   (I used my 7 x 11 glass pan for this recipe for 2 servings.)
   Pour the olive oil on top, and season with salt and pepper. Toss until well combined.
2. Place the feta block in the middle of the baking dish surrounded by the tomatoes, and flip a couple times to coat it with the olive oil and seasoning.
3. Place chicken breast in the baking dish,  and flip a couple times to coat it with the olive oil and seasoning. Spread some of the tomatoes on top.
   
   
   
   
   
4. Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, until the tomatoes burst, and the feta cheese melts.
5. While the tomatoes and feta are baking, cook the pasta in a pot of salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain, reserving ½ cup of the cooking liquid in case you'd like to toss it in.
6. After 35 minutes, remove pan of feta and tomatoes from oven. Remove chicken breast, cut into small dices.
   
7. Stir in the garlic and basil leaves to the cooked tomatoes and feta. Mash the feta and tomatoes to make a sauce, adding in some of the reserved pasta water.
8. Add in spinach, stir to wilt. Toss everything to combine.
9. Transfer the cooked pasta to the baking dish and toss to combine. Garnish with more fresh basil and serve warm.
   
   

 

Carole's Notes:

Yes, I liked this! Feta and fresh basil and oregano and garlic in a creamy sauce.

The recipe is lightly adapted from https://feelgoodfoodie.net/recipe/baked-feta-pasta/