Pasta w/Chicken and Cherry Tomatoes

Some call it SAUCE, 

Some call it GRAVY, 

I CALL IT AMAZING, 

and I want more!

PASTA w/GARLIC SAUCE, CHICKEN AND CHERRY TOMATOES

Ingredients:
 pasta (cooked al dente) (your choice of pasta)
1 pound chicken breast fillets (skinless and boneless, sliced into 1 inch chunks)

CHICKEN MARINADE  
2 teaspoons fresh thyme, chopped
2 teaspoons fresh rosemary, chopped (if using dried, use half of the amount)
Zest of 1 lemon
Juice of ½ a lemon
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon coarse salt (not table salt)
½ teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (to sauté the marinated chicken)

Directions:
Add all the marinade ingredients to a large zip lock bag, add cut up chicken and marinate for 20 minutes (this dish has the best flavor when the chicken is allowed to marinade overnight)
- Saute the marinated chicken in extra virgin olive oil until cooked about 4-5 minutes, set aside.

GARLIC SAUCE
½ stick (1/4 cup) unsalted butter
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
4 large cloves garlic, finely minced
2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 ½ cups chicken stock
1 Tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup parsley, chopped (to sprinkle/finish the pasta)
½ cup grated parmesan cheese
2 cups whole cherry tomatoes

Directions:
Place sauté pan over medium heat and add butter and olive oil. Saute garlic until fragrant and soft.

Add the flour and cook for a minute. Add chicken stock and simmer until thickened then add the chopped basil and tomatoes.

Season with salt and pepper. Add the sauteed chicken to the sauce and toss the cooked pasta just to warm.

Top with grated parmesan cheese

serves 6