Tomato Basil Chicken over spaghetti squ....what!???!

Squash! It's one of the few foods I haven't been able to enjoy throughout my life, until I discovered spaghetti squash! L-O-V-E it! It's a great pasta substitute, it's a great side dish, it's easy to grow & store! It's amazing! I have about 40 storing in my basement from last summers harvest; I planted 5 seeds, and wished I would've planted 1 lol However, it's been a great asset to my cooking because if I just don't want to use the empty calories of pasta, I'll run down & grab a squash. A single serving of pasta is about 200+ calories, the same serving size of this squash...45 calories!!!!!

Now, this isn't your typical squash, I've had the mushy, ishy stuff before, I, to this day, don't even know what kind it was, I just know it was YUCK! A couple years ago, my family was invited to a friends house for supper, and her boyfriend was in culinary school at the time & did all the cooking that night. When I found out squash was on the menu I was like "crap, I wish I would've grabbed a snack before we left home!" When it was time to dish up, I was completely intrigued by the side dish in this oblong shaped shell. I took a chance and grabbed a forkful to try it. OMG! It was so delicious! Of course, he seasoned his with butter & brown sugar--I do NOT recommend that with this dish I'm about to share with you. I've tried it that way, and the sweetness of those seasonings take away from the seasonings of the dish itself. 

So ... I share with you:

Tomato Basil Chicken

2-3 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1-2 tbsp EVOO 
1 cup cherry tomatoes cut in half
1 tbsp minced garlic
4 tbsp cold butter (makes the sauce creamy)
1 cup fresh chopped basil
Salt, pepper, dried oregano & dried basil for seasoning chicken
 
Spaghetti Squash (pasta substitute)
Cut squash in half the long way
Scrape out seeds
Place squash face down on deep dish
Pour enough water on pan to cover entire bottom
Roast at 400 for 45 mins (additional water may be needed if too much evaporates)
Use fork to pull squash away from shell (gives it the spaghetti appearance).

Heat oil so it’s hot, add seasoned chicken, and cook first side until golden (about 7 minutes). Flip chicken, wait 3-4 mins then add cherry tomatoes and cook additional 3-4 mins. Add in chopped fresh basil, cold butter & minced garlic, give a good stir. Transfer chicken to a cutting board and allow to sit for 2-3 mins, and then cut chicken into slices. Serves 3-4 people (about 350 calories in all!)
Place a generous portion of squash on a platel (1 cup is 42 calories!), place chicken & basil sauce mixture on top or on the side.

Enjoy!