PESTO PASTA with GRILLED CHICKEN and ROASTED TOMATOES

This dish is all about big flavor concentration and with only 5 main ingredients, it's easy to get there! Nutty roasted garlic, sweet roasted tomatoes, and fresh basil pesto with hearty whole wheat pasta make the perfect well-rounded and healthy meal. With the ingredients available all year round, you can make this meal a permanent one in your dinner rotation!

INGREDIENTS:
1 cup prepared pesto
2 chicken breasts
6 cloves garlic, minced
1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
1 lb whole wheat pasta
salt and pepper
extra virgin olive oil

DIRECTIONS:
-place garlic and 1 1/2 tbs. olive oil in a small sauce pan
-simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes, until garlic is golden brown and nutty smelling
-meanwhile, slice tomatoes in half, drizzle with about 1 tbs. olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper
-place tomatoes on a baking sheet in a 400 degree oven, and cook for about 20 minutes
-season chicken with salt and pepper, and cook on the grill
-let chicken cool, then slice thinly (1/8" thick), set aside
-boil large pot of water, cook pasta as directed
-drain pasta, place back into cooking pot
-mix in pesto, garlic, tomatoes, and chicken
-place pasta into a serving dish, or portion out, and enjoy!

SHOUT OUTS:
This recipe was inspired by my Aunt Suzy and Uncle Len who always provide us with homemade pesto, and delicious pesto pasta!

TIPS and ADAPTATIONS:
-Leave out the chicken for a vegetarian dish, or try instead of chicken try it with sliced turkey breast or steak.
-You don't have to grill your chicken, it can be cooked in the oven or in a pan, or you can even use a super market rotisserie chicken.
-Don't want to overload on garlic? Add a couple spoonfuls of chopped walnuts or pine nuts instead of the extra roasted garlic.
-Mix in some: sauteed mushrooms, artichoke hearts, caramelized onions, peas, and/or asparagus.
-Allow the noodles to cool, and make it a yummy cold pasta salad.
-Instead of roasting your own tomatoes, take a shortcut and chop up jarred sundried tomatoes or you can use a fresh chopped tomato too.
-Spice it up with a good spoonful of red pepper flakes.
-Use whatever type of pasta you prefer: whole wheat, regular, gluten free, short pasta, spaghetti...