Chicken, Leek and Pasta Bake with Crunchy Top

• spinach dried pasta↗400g g

  (we used Seeds of Change spinach pasta, available at Tesco)

• leek↗2

  cleaned and finely sliced

• zucchini1

  grated

• pesto↗3 tbsp tbsp
• low‑fat soft cheese↗2 tbsp tbsp
• fine breadcrumbs↗2 tbsp tbsp
• butter↗25g g
• plain flour↗25g g
• milk↗250ml ml
• olive oil↗1 tsp tsp
• (size dependent) skinless chicken↗2-3

  thigh fillet, cubed

• skinless chicken↗1

  breast, cubed

• onion↗⅓

  very finely sliced (optional)

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   For the base, melt the butter in a saucepan, add the flour and cook for a few minutes, stirring constantly. Then, using a whisk or spatula, gradually pour in the milk, ensuring the sauce stays smooth. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil and cook a few more minutes until it thickens – it will be very thick. Reduce the heat to minimum and continue cooking for 5 minutes, stirring frequently.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, heat the oil in a non‑stick pan and sauté the chicken in batches until the edges turn a light golden colour. Remove each batch and set aside on a plate. If using onion, add it to the pan and cook over low heat until softened. Add the chicken together with any released juices and the onion to the white sauce, stir gently and cook the mixture for another 15 minutes or until the chicken is done. If you prepared the base ahead of time, let it cool and then freeze in an airtight container for up to a month. (Fully thaw before using in the next step.)

3. 3

   Cook the pasta according to the package instructions. Place the leeks in a saucepan with a small amount of water, cover and cook until very soft. Drain, then return the leeks to the saucepan together with the zucchini, pesto and soft cheese, mix everything, add the chicken base and stir thoroughly, then heat until it begins to simmer slightly. If the mixture is too thick, add a little water.

4. 4

   Combine the pasta with the chicken mixture and transfer to a large baking dish. Sprinkle the top with fine breadcrumbs and bake under the grill until browned.