Chicken Leek Pea Pasta Bake Recipes

CHICKEN, LEEK & PEA PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4. Grease a 30cm x 25cm baking dish.
• Cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling salted water, for slightly less time than given on the packet so it's just undercooked. Drain and run under cold water to stop it from cooking further. Return to the saucepan and coat with a drizzle of olive oil.
• Meanwhile, roughly chop the leeks. Put the butter in a frying pan and gently fry the leeks for 10 minutes or until they're soft. Peel, mince and add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the stock and wine, then cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until almost all the liquid has evaporated. Add the peas, stir and cook for 30 seconds.
• Dice the cooked chicken.
• To the drained pasta, add the leek mixture, chicken, milk and two-thirds of the ricotta. Mix gently to combine and season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon the pasta mixture into the baking dish. Top with the remaining ricotta, grate over the Parmesan and drizzle with olive oil, if you like. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes or until piping hot and starting to crisp up on top.

CHICKEN & LEEK PASTA BAKE WITH A CRUNCHY TOP

Steps:

• For the base, melt the butter in a saucepan, stir in the flour and cook for a few mins, stirring all the time. Now, using a whisk or spatula, carefully stir in the milk, a little at a time, making sure the sauce stays smooth. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for a couple of mins until it thickens - it will be very thick. Turn the heat right down and keep cooking for 5 mins, stirring often.
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a non-stick frying pan and fry all of the chicken in batches until it starts to colour lightly at the edges. Scoop out each batch of chicken and put it on a plate. Add the onion to the pan if you are using it, and cook over a low heat until soft. Add the chicken and any juices and the onion to the white sauce, fold it in and cook the mixture for a further 15 mins or until the chicken is cooked through. If you're making the base ahead of time, you can leave it to cool at this stage then freeze in an airtight container for up to a month. (Defrost fully before using in the next step.)
• Cook the pasta following pack instructions. Put the leeks in a pan with a little water, cover and cook until very soft. Drain, then return to the pan with the courgette, pesto and soft cheese, stir everything together, add the chicken base and stir well, then heat until just bubbling. Add a splash of water if it's very thick.
• Stir the pasta into the chicken mixture and tip into a large baking dish. Sprinkle over the breadcrumbs and grill the top until it browns.

CHICKEN AND LEEK PASTA

Steps:

• Use a vegetable peeler to peel zucchini and carrot into fine slices. Cut slices lengthwise into thin ribbons, similar to the tagliatelle; set aside.
• Melt butter in a frying pan over medium heat. Add chicken and fry until seared, 3 to 4 minutes. Add leeks and continue to fry until softened, about 3 minutes.
• Add 1 cup chicken broth, cream, white wine, and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until sauce thickens, 6 to 8 minutes. Keep warm.
• Meanwhile, bring remaining chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan. Add vegetable ribbons and tagliatelle. Cook at a boil until tagliatelle is tender yet firm to the bite, about 8 minutes.
• Drain tagliatelle and serve, adding warm chicken-leek mixture on top.