Dinner Tonight – Tomato Basil Linguine with Grilled Chicken

As usual, I was out in the garden early this morning, coffee in hand, watering and checking on things – my tomatoes are growing like crazy. This morning I had to perform my weekly routine of plucking the flowers off of my basil, which in this warm weather is becoming quite a task. See if you don’t take the flowers off, the plant will put all of its energy into flowering and the actual basil leaves start to grow very small as the plant prepares to seed. Take the flowers off and your basil leaves stay lush and yummy.

As I was carefully taking the flowers off this morning and dodging the cute baby praying mantis that has taken up residence in my basil, I thought that I had better take advantage of all of my hard work and this easy weeknight recipe was born.

This recipe is so simple, perfect for a weeknight.  Not a lot of ingredients, not at all fussy. I think from start to finish, including grilling the chicken and picking the basil, it took me less than 40 minutes.

My dad, who is not a pasta guy said to me ‘Jess, this is actually quite tasty.’ I had to hide my smile.

I hope you get a chance to make this soon. Enjoy!

much love!
jess

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Tomato Basil Linguine with Grilled Chicken
2 chicken breasts, grilled and sliced
1 pound linguine
1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
1 cup pearl tomatoes, halved
1 onion, roughly chopped
5 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
½ cup basil, roughly chopped
1 cup arugula
2 tablespoons sugar
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
salt & pepper
Shaved parmesan

In a large saucepan bring salted water to a boil. Add in linguine and cook until al dente, approximately 10 minutes. In the meantime, grill your chicken breasts, slice after the chicken has rested. Chop onion, garlic, basil and pearl tomatoes. Drain linguine in a colander and in the same saucepan place back on the heat, add oil, onions and pinch of salt and pepper.

Once onions have become slightly translucent, add in garlic, followed by crushed and pearl tomatoes; stir in sugar. Add the linguine, basil and arugula into the sauce and toss well. Pour mixture into serving dish, top with sliced chicken and shaved parmesan and serve.

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