Creamy Greek Pasta with Chicken

The weeknight dinner conundrum-what to fix? Creamy Greek Pasta with Chicken is just the meal everyone will love with its fresh flavors and delicious taste. A simple and satisfying meal easy to put together in under 30 minutes. A key ingredient for the recipe is buttermilk which tenderizes the chicken. 
Cooking Tip: Marinate chicken 1-3 hours.  
Recipe serves 4 and was adapted from February cuisineathome.com 

Ingredients:

• 2 large chicken breasts 
• 1-1/2 cups buttermilk
• 2 cups dried penne pasta
• 1 tsp each dried oregano and parsley flakes  
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1-1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 3/4 cup diced red onion
• 2 tablespoons fresh garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup each low-sodium chicken broth and 2%milk
• 2 ounces Neufchatel cheese, room temperature
• 1 teaspoon lemon zest
• 1 cup halved grape tomatoes
• 3/4 cup diced cucumbers
• 1/3 cup pitted and halved olives
• Crumbled feta or Parmesan cheese

Directions:

• Cook penne, drain and set aside
• Drain buttermilk from chicken and dice into bite sized pieces. 
• Heat olive oil in a large fry pan medium low heat. Add chicken, sprinkle with oregano and parsley flakes, salt and pepper. Add in minced garlic and onions.   
• Saute and cook until chicken is cooked through. 
• In a measuring cup  mix broth, milk, lemon zest and cream cheese. Whisk until combined.
• Add milk mixture to chicken mixture, cook on medium low until sauce thickens. Add in cooked penne, mix well.   
• Off heat add in tomatoes, cucumbers, olives and cheese. Serve immediately.