This has to be one of the simplest pasta recipes, all you need is store bought ingredients out of a jar or a packet and voila dinner is ready in a jiffy. Kids love this too and you can encourage them to make it with you, just make sure they’re safe. You can substitute the chicken with shrimp, fish, lobster, calamari or mussels too and use any short pasta. I sincerely hope you try this at home, enjoy! Image courtesy Getty Image

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Cook time: 20 Minutes / Difficulty: Easy / Serves: Four

INGREDIENTS

PROCEDURE

250-g Pack of Penne 250-g Chicken breast, cubed 6-tbsp. Pesto sauce, store bought 200-ml Cream 2 Cloves Garlic, large minced 4-tbsp. Sundried tomatoes, chopped 1/2-cup Basil leaves, shredded 2-tbsp. Pickled Jalapenos, chopped 1/2-tsp. Dried thyme 1/2-cup Grated Parmesan 4-tbsp. Toasted pine nuts, chopped Olive oil for cooking 1-tbsp. Butter Salt and pepper to taste

1. Cook the pasta in 2-ltrs of salted water al dente , drain and keep aside. 2. Pour olive oil to a large sauté pan, add the minced garlic sauté until light brown, now add the cubed chicken with the thyme, stir fry on high heat, reduce the heat and cover to cook till tender and fully cooked, about 8-mins. 3. Once the chicken is almost cooked add the sundried tomatoes, jalapenos, pesto sauce and cream, mix well and cook until the oil starts to separate. 4. Add the penne and toss well to coat the pasta with the sauce thoroughly, add a few tablespoons of water to help the process if needed. 5. Add butter and season with salt and pepper, taste, adjust and taste again. 6. Serve and garnish with the parmesan cheese, pine nuts and  shredded basil leaves.