Chicken Pasta Pesto
This is a go-to recipe for hosting a luncheon or making a quick dinner on a steamy summer night. Nice for picnics, as long as it's kept cool. Grill the chicken breasts for a deeper flavor and the pesto may be homemade or jarred. Homemade is super easy and the flavor of fresh basil is unbeatable! This tastes even better the next day.
Prep Time 45 minutes mins
Cook Time 15 minutes mins
- 1 lb. penne pasta
- 2 cups cooked chicken diced (about 6 chicken breasts)
- 1 cup pesto sauce
- 12 cherry tomatoes halved
Pesto
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- ¼ cup pine nuts
- 2 garlic cloves
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Cook pasta according to package directions and drain.
In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, and pesto. Garnish with tomatoes.
Pesto
Place oil, nuts, garlic, and salt in food processor or blender.
Blend until nuts and garlic are finely chopped.
Add basil and Parmesan and blend.