Lemon Garlic Pesto Pasta with Chicken

This is such a fresh and easy pasta dish made with tomatoes, garlic, pesto, wine, fresh basil, lemon juice, grilled chicken breasts marinated for a couple of hours in Italian dressing (omit these if you're vegetarian or you don't happen to have any chicken) and grated Parmesan cheese. It may also be served without chicken as a delicious vegetarian dish. Here is the recipe... enjoy!

Recipe:

2 Tbsp olive oil
3-4 cloves of garlic minced
1 cup white wine
3 Tbsp of pesto (I used Classico brand in a jar)
2 14 1/2 oz cans of diced tomatoes (may substitute w/4 cups of fresh chopped tomatoes)
1 tsp of pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Juice of one fresh lemon
2 boneless cooked chicken breasts cut into bite size pieces (optional)
1 lb of any type of pasta cooked al dente.
1/2 cup of fresh basil chopped
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese (I was out of Parmesan so I used feta)

In a large frying pan saute garlic in olive oil until golden. Pour in wine and simmer until amount is reduced by half (3-5 minutes). Add pesto, tomatoes, pepper flakes and salt and pepper to taste. Heat thoroughly. Place cooked/drained pasta in a large "pasta" bowl and top with chicken pieces. Pour sauce over the top and sprinkle with fresh lemon juice, basil and cheese. Makes approximately 6 servings.