Italian Baked Chicken and Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 cup Italian pastina (or any small pasta, I used small shells)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup cubed chicken breast
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice (I recommend using the ones with Italian seasoning)
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
• 1 tablespoon butter, plus more
• butter, for baking dish

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. 2

   Bring medium pot of salted water to boil.

3. 3

   Add pasta and cook until just tender about 5 minutes. Drain into large bowl.

4. 4

   Meanwhile heat olive oil in medium sautee pan over med heat.

5. 5

   Add chicken and cook about 3 minutes.

6. 6

   Add onions and garlic combine and cook about 5 minutes more or until chicken is done and onions soft.

7. 7

   Add chicken to pasta in bowl, stir in canned tomatoes, mozzarella, parsley, salt, and pepper. Stir until combined.

8. 8

   Place in buttered 8x8x2 dish.

9. 9

   In small bowl combine bread crumbs and Parmesan.

10. 10

    Spread over pasta mixture.

11. 11

    Dot the top with butter.

12. 12

    Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.