Take the stress out of dinner with cookbook author Sandi Richard’s creamy chicken Caesar pasta. Put leftovers in a pita for a “picnic on the soccer field.”

Chicken Caesar pasta

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1 tsp extra-virgin olive oil
3 chicken breasts, boneless, skinless (1 lb or 450 g; extra for wraps)
1 tsp original, all-purpose seasoning, salt-free
5 1/3 oz or 83 g cream cheese, light (just less than 3/4 of an 8-oz pack)
1/2 cup Caesar salad dressing, garlic lovers, light, gourmet, refrigerated
1 cup 1% milk
12 oz or 340 g vermicelli pasta (Use regular vermicelli or spaghettini. Only use rice vermicelli if there are wheat allergies in your family.)
4 strips fully cooked bacon, low-sodium
1/2 cup croutons
3 cups frozen baby peas
Parmesan cheese, light, grated (optional, but amazing)

Method:

1. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil for pasta.

2. In the meantime, heat oil in a large nonstick fry pan on medium heat. Cut chicken into small bite-sized pieces, adding to pan as you cut. Add spices. Toss until meat is no longer pink. Add cream cheese, salad dressing and milk. Stir until cheese is melted and ingredients are combined. You may need to stir in a little more milk at the end. You want this thick but a little runny.

3. Place pasta in boiling water, stir and cook uncovered. Set timer according to package directions, approximately 5 minutes.

4. Place bacon on paper towel on plate in microwave. Set timer for 1 minute.  Gently smash croutons with a mallet or kitchen hammer to create tiny croutons. Tear bacon into pieces. Set aside.

5. Rinse peas in colander or steamer basket. Place a small amount of water in the bottom of a pot and bring to a full boil with the peas in the basket above. Cover and set timer for 3 minutes or microwave on high for 3-4 minutes using a microwave-safe dish with cover. Let stand.

6. When your pasta is done cooking, rinse pasta under hot water in a colander. Let drain and return to pasta pot. Cover with heat off, and let stand. Serve the pasta on a plate or bowl with the sauce poured over  top. Garnish with croutons, crumbled bacon and Parmesan cheese.