Chicken Pesto With Penne Pesta Recipes

CHICKEN PESTO PENNE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, sour cream and pesto. Drain pasta. Add pasta and chicken to Parmesan mixture; toss to coat.

PESTO PASTA WITH CHICKEN

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute garlic until tender, then stir in chicken. Season with red pepper flakes. Cook until chicken is golden, and cooked through.
• In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, sun-dried tomatoes and pesto. Toss to coat evenly.

PESTO CHICKEN PENNE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9x13-inch baking dish. Combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil in a small bowl until evenly moistened; set aside.
• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and bring to a rolling boil over high heat. Once the water is boiling, stir in the penne, and return to a boil. Cook the pasta uncovered, stirring occasionally, until the pasta has cooked through, but is still firm to the bite, about 11 minutes. Drain well in a colander set in the sink.
• Meanwhile, combine the chicken in a bowl with the Italian cheese blend, spinach, tomatoes, alfredo sauce, pesto sauce, and milk. Stir in the pasta once done, and scoop into the prepared baking dish. Top with the bread crumb mixture.
• Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly and golden brown on top, 40 to 45 minutes.

CHICKEN PESTO PENNE

Steps:

• Season and saute the chicken breast. Remove from the pan and keep warm.
• Meanwhile, cook the penne in salted boiling water.
• In the same pan as the chicken breast, saute mushrooms and onion. When almost done, add garlic and saute until fragrant.
• Add cream and pesto and bring to a boil. Put the chicken back in the pan and add the sun-dried tomatoes Simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes to thicken.
• Add most of the parmesan (reserving a little for the top).
• Drain the penne saving some of the water.
• Add the penne to the sauce and stir. Add reserved water if needed to thin the sauce.
• Serve penne topped with the saved parmesan and basil if using.
• Serve.

PENNE WITH PESTO

Steps:

• Meanwhile, pluck the basil leaves from the stems (you should have about 2 cups leaves). Wash the leaves in a large bowl of cold water and dry in a salad spinner or pat dry with paper towels. Smash and peel the garlic.
• Put the basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor and pulse until coarsely chopped. With the processor running, gradually add the olive oil and process until the pesto is smooth. Transfer the pesto to a large bowl and stir in the cheese. Season with the salt and some pepper.
• Bring a large pot of cold water to a boil over high heat and salt it generously. Add the penne and boil, stirring occasionally, until al dente, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain in a colander and save about 1/4 cup pasta cooking water. Add the pasta to the bowl. Use tongs and toss with enough of the cooking water so the pesto coats the pasta evenly. Season with salt and pepper. Serve warm.
• Upgrades: a. Make the pesto creamy by adding 1/4 cup ricotta cheese when processing the basil, garlic, and pine nuts. This is great with tortellini or ravioli. b. Top dressed pesto pasta with 1/2 pound diced large or halved small fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), 3 medium tomatoes cut in large chunks, and 1/2 cup pitted black olives, (we like kalamata for this), roughly chopped. c. Add cooked 1 to 2 cups chicken or shrimp.
• Twists on Pesto: In place of basil, try the following combination: 1 cup parsley, 1 cup fresh spinach leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary leaves, 2 tablespoons fresh thyme leaves. Substitute walnuts for the pine nuts

PESTO CHICKEN PENNE

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, whisk the pesto mix, milk and oil. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes. , Add chicken; heat through. Drain pasta. Add to the sauce and toss to coat. Sprinkle with cheese.

CHICKEN PESTO WITH PENNE PESTA

Steps:

• While entire box of penne past is boiling, prepare both pesto sauce mixes according to the packet directions and set sauce aside in a large bowl.
• Steam asparagus and cut into 1-2 inch pieces, then add to pesto mixture.
• Toss in the package of sun-dried tomatoes into the pesto mix as well.
• Pan fry chicken breasts coated with 2 tbs. of olive oil, dusting lightly with garlic salt and Italian spices.
• After chicken is cooked through, cube it into bite sized pieces and add to the pesto mixture.
• Drain pasta and add to pesto mixture.
• Sprinkle grated Parmesan on top while hot OR for a cold meal, chill meal in fridge and mix in half a cup of cheese before serving.