Baked Feta Pasta

Ingredients:
2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
4 Tblsp. Italian herb seasoning (NOT spaghetti seasoning), divided
½ cup extra virgin olive oil, divided
4 Tblsp. butter
16 ounces cavatappi pasta or pasta of choice
2 pints cherry tomatoes
8-oz. block of feta cheese
1 Tblsp. salt, divided
½ tsp black or red pepper
2 garlic cloves minced
¼ cup packed chopped fresh basil, if desired
½ cup shredded parmesan cheese, if desired for topping
 
Preparation:
1. Mix yogurt and 2 Tblsp. Italian herb seasoning and ¼ Tblsp. salt.
 
2. Put chicken pieces into yogurt mixture, then place in fridge to marinate for at least 30 minutes.
 
3. Once chicken is finished marinating, heat 2 Tblsp. olive oil and 2 Tblsp. butter in large skillet.
 
4. Add half of the chicken pieces, and cook until browned on all sides and cooked throughout.
 
5. Remove cooked chicken from skillet, and keep warm.
 
6. Repeat with remaining chicken.
 
7. While chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to boil, then cook pasta until al dente stage.
 
8. Also while chicken is cooking, heat oven to 400 degrees.
 
9. Mix 4 Tblsp. olive oil with 2 Tblsp. Italian herb seasoning, ¾ Tblsp. salt and pepper.
 
10. Dip feta block in olive oil mixture on both sides, then place in the middle of a 9x13” baking dish.
 
11. Mix tomatoes and garlic in olive oil mixture, then pout over feta. Add more olive oil and seasonings, if needed.
 
12. Bake feta and tomatoes, covered, in the preheated oven for 25 minutes, then remove foil and cook for 10 minutes longer, or until the tomatoes burst and the feta cheese melts.
 
13. When the pasta is al dente, drain, reserving ½ cup of the cooking liquid.
 
14. When feta and tomatoes are done, add fresh basil and toss to combine.
 
15. Gently fold feta, tomatoes and basil, chicken and pasta together in a large bowl. If more “sauce” is needed, add cooking liquid slowly, until desired sauce level is reached.
 
16. Top with parmesean before serving, if desired.