Parmesan Chicken Linguini with Sunday Gravy

Pulse the tomatoes in a blender or food processor until chopped into small pieces but not completely smooth.

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.

Heat the olive oil in a Dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook, stirring often, until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Add the shallot and cook, stirring, until softened, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato paste and teaspoon red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, 30 seconds, then add the wine and simmer until reduced by about half. Add the tomatoes and oregano and increase the heat to medium-high. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat slightly and simmer until slightly reduced and the flavors have blended, about 10 minutes; season with salt.

Line a sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside. Add the flour to a shallow bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add the eggs to a second shallow bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add the panko, Parmesan, Italian seasoning, the pinch red pepper flakes and some salt and pepper to a third shallow bowl and mix well. Coat the chicken in the flour and shake off the excess. Dip in the egg mixture, and finally, coat well in the panko mixture. Place on the lined sheet pan and spray with cooking spray. Bake until cooked through and golden brown, 30 to 35 minutes.

Add the linguine to the boiling water and cook according to package directions; drain.

Add the linguine to the pot with the sauce and stir to coat. Slice the chicken into strips.

Serve the pasta topped with the chicken, a drizzle of olive oil and the basil leaves.