Mediterranean Chicken Pesto Pasta

This week I am experimenting with as many different and creative pesto recipes as I can.  I am starting off with this 30 minute Mediterranean Chicken Pesto Pasta.  The trick to get it all done in 30 minutes is to do things in the right order.

My favorite way to get nice tender chicken breasts in a short period of time is to poach them.  Poached chicken, when done right, is moist and tasty and barely any work at all.  Begin by getting two pots, one for the chicken and one for the pasta.  Start the pasta water first, then using a small pot that will keep the chicken breasts on one layer, add the herbs, chicken and lemon, cover with water and then bring to a boil.  As the chicken is poaching and the pasta water is coming to a boil, start making the pesto.

This is a classic Italian pesto except with a little lemon juice added for extra zing.  Around the time you are done making the pesto, add the pasta to the boiling pasta water.  Once the chicken is done drain the water and let it cool.  Cut the cherry tomatoes in half, cut the chicken into bite sized pieces and then once the pasta is done, drain that.

Add the pasta to a good sized bowl and then add the rest of the ingredients. Mix well and eat right away.

Mediterranean Chicken Pesto Pasta leftovers can be made into a nice chicken pesto pasta salad the next day.  Simply add some thinly sliced red onion and 1 Tablespoon of balsamic vinegar.  If the pasta salad seems dry you can add olive oil.

For some variations on Mediterranean Chicken Pesto Pasta try adding some steamed broccoli florets or shredded carrots.

Serve with a simple salad drizzled with Dijon Vinaigrette and some red wine.

Mediterranean Chicken Pesto Pasta

Bill Bradley

4.29 from 7 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings 6

Calories 524 kcal

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 2 chicken breasts (around 1 pound chicken)
• 4 slices lemon
• 6 peppercorns or 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp oregano
• 1/2 pound dry fusilli pasta
• 2 cup loosely packed fresh basil, de-stemmed
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup parmesan, grated
• 3/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp  pine nuts
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes
• Salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

 

• Add at least 4 quarts of water to a pot for pasta. Bring to a boil. Add pasta when boiling. (Do other steps while waiting)
• In a small saucepan, add the two chicken breasts. The pan should be large enough that the two breasts can lay on the bottom side by side, but not much bigger than that. Add lemon, peppercorns, salt and oregano. Add enough water to cover chicken and then bring to a boil. Once boiling, boil for another 10 minutes or until chicken is no longer pink in middle (165 degrees F.) Once cooked, drain water and let chicken cool. Chop chicken into bite sized pieces. (Do other steps while waiting)
• While pasta and chicken are cooking, make pesto. Chop garlic on high in food processor until chunks are small. Add basil, parmesan, olive oil and pine nuts. Process on high for about a minute, scraping down sides if needed.
• Cut cherry tomatoes in half. Drain pasta. Add pasta to a bowl. Top with pesto, chicken and cherry tomatoes. Toss well. Salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 524kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 24gFat: 33gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 21gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 560mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 872IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 79mgIron: 2mg

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