Cheesy leek, chicken & pea pasta with chicken crumbs

Step by Step

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 200ºC, gas mark 6. Put the leeks and chicken into a medium roasting tin, drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil and 4 tbsp water, then season well. Roast for 40-50 minutes, until the leeks are tender and the chicken is cooked through, the juices run clear and there is no pink meat. Once cool enough to handle, remove the skin and save, then shred the meat into the leeks and juices. Keep warm.

Step 2

Boil the peas for 3 minutes in a large pan of salted water, then lift out with a slotted spoon. Add the pasta and cook for 11 minutes, or until tender. Heat the cheese sauce in a smaller pan, then tip in ½ the peas. Add the mustard and garlic. Blend, using a stick blender, until fairly smooth, then season with black pepper. Drain the pasta and tip into the roasting tin, along with the sauce and extra peas. Stir to coat.

Step 3

Snip the chicken skin into a frying pan, add the breadcrumbs and 1 tbsp oil, then gently cook for 2-3 minutes to toast the bread and crisp the skin. Tip into a food processor, then grind into fine crumbs. Serve the green pasta with the crispy topping sprinkled over.