EASY TOMATO BASIL CHICKEN [thigh or breast or shredded] AND PENNE in the CROCKPOT OR OVEN!!!

*Chicken Thighs or Breasts - Thawed - 1 per person (I like to take the bones out but this is optional.) OR **shredded Chicken
Garlic Salt and Basil Seasoning
Marinara Sauce OR Pasta Sauce
(I like Garlic and Basil flavor or Chunky with mushrooms...or choose your own and spice it up!)
1/4 cup Cream Cheese/Ricotta
2 Cups cut broccoli (optional)
Penne Pasta

CROCK POT

*Clean and thaw chicken and pull bones (optional).  Season with Basil and Garlic salt.  Then place chicken in the crock pot.
**Simply thaw and season shredded chicken and place in crock pot.

Cover and smother chicken with the Marinara sauce.  Add Broccoli (optional, or wait) Cook on high 4 - 5 hours/low 5 - 6.  30 minutes before serving, add cream cheese(optional), and also boil water and cook Penne pasta and broccoli (optional or if you didnt put the broccoli in the crock.)
*Remove the chicken and shred the meat with a fork (optional) OR simply place whole pieces on plate. Spoon sauce over penne as a side dish!
**Spoon shredded chicken on top of pasta, and cover with the sauce.

 Sprinkle with Ricotta or Parmesan cheese. Magnific!

NOTE Sometimes I boil my chicken in the morning and go ahead and shred it, then just add it to the crock and when I get home it is DELICIOUS all I have to worry about is boiling my pasta!

OVEN

Lightly spray a baking dish, and preheat oven to 375.
*Clean and thaw chicken, and then debone if shredding (optional but it makes it MUCH easier later).
IF SHREDDING YOUR OWN CHICKEN: Boil on the stove in a pot of water 20 - 30 minutes or until EXTREMELY soft.  Remove chicken from water and shred with a fork.
** Simply thaw and season shredded chicken.

Season with Garlic and Basil.  Cover the bottom of the baking dish with a decent layer of marinara.  Then put chicken on top, and broccoli (optional or you can wait until you cook pasta). Cover with as much of the remaining Marinara as possible (the more the better) Bake for 15 - 20 minutes (shredded) 30 minutes (whole) or until chicken is cooked thoroughly. When you get it in the oven, begin boiling your pasta and broccoli (optional). Take chicken out of the oven and uncover. Cut small slices of cream cheese and place on top of chicken** or one piece on top of each piece of whole chicken*. Place back in oven for another 5 - 10 minutes or until cheese is melted completely. Take it out.   Serve it either as a chicken thigh with a side of pasta, or spoon the chicken on the top of pasta and cover in sauce!   Yum!