Recipe: Baked Chicken Spinoccoli with Ziti Pasta and Pesto Cream Sauce

BAKED CHICKEN SPINOCCOLI WITH ZITI PASTA AND PESTO CREAM SAUCE

4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
1 cup coarsely chopped fresh broccoli
1 cup fresh spinach
2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
4 oz feta cheese
8 oz shredded mozzarella cheese, divided use
Ziti pasta, cooked according to the instructions on the box (penne or rigatoni may be substituted)
Basil Pesto Cream Sauce (recipe follows)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Mix the broccoli, spinach and tomatoes together in a bowl and set aside.

Cover the chicken breast with plastic wrap and flatten. A rolling pin works well.

Evenly distribute the ingredients from the bowl in the center of each chicken breast. Sprinkle equal amounts of the feta cheese and half of the mozzarella cheese on top of the broccoli mixture. Wrap the chicken breast tightly around the filling and secure with a toothpick. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese on top of the chicken breast. Place on a baking sheet or pan.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 30-35 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.

Serve over ziti pasta with Basil Pesto Cream Sauce.

BASIL PESTO CREAM SAUCE

3/4 cup of half & half
1 cup low sodium chicken broth
1/2 tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup traditional basil pesto (any grocery store carries this)
1 tablespoon butter
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
Salt & pepper to taste

In a blender mix the half & half, chicken broth, cornstarch and pesto together; set aside.

Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the parmesan cheese and add the half & half mixture. Mix well and simmer for 3 or 4 minutes until the sauce thickens.

Makes 4 servings
Source: Taste of Home