Creamy Basil Pesto Recipes

CREAMY PESTO SAUCE

Steps:

• Add the basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan, lemon juice, salt, and pepper to the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade attachment. Process until all of the ingredients are finely minced and a paste-like mixture forms.
• With the food processor on, very slowly drizzle in the oil through the feed tube. Toss with warm pasta (if desired) and enjoy!

BASIL CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine basil and garlic. Begin processing, and pour in olive oil in a thin stream. Process for about 40 seconds, or until mixture begins to emulsify. Add pine nuts and Parmesan, then blend for 1 minute.
• Heat cream in a saucepan over low heat until simmering. Pour 1/2 of the hot cream into the processor with basil pesto, and pulse for 20 seconds to incorporate. Pour mixture back into cream, and simmer for 5 minutes, or until thickened.

CREAMY PESTO

Steps:

• Combine basil, pine nuts, Asiago, garlic, pepper, and salt in a food processor; pulse until uniformly chopped. Gradually add olive oil until a thick paste forms. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
• Melt butter in a medium pan over low heat. Add flour and whisk constantly for 2 minutes. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly. Continue to cook until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in Asiago cheese until melted. Stir in pesto sauce until combined.

CREAMY PESTO CHICKEN

Steps:

• Season chicken with salt and pepper, and rub chicken with the basil pesto.
• Heat olive oil in a large nonstick skillet.
• Add chicken to the skillet and cook for 5 minutes on each side, or until thoroughly cooked.
• In the meantime, prepare the sauce by combining flour, garlic, basil pesto, evaporated milk, salt, and pepper in a mixing cup or bowl; whisk until thoroughly combined and set aside.
• Remove chicken from skillet.
• Return skillet to heat and stir in the tomatoes. If pan is dry, add a little more olive oil.
• Cook the tomatoes over medium-high heat for about 1 minute, or until just beginning to soften
• Add the prepared sauce to the skillet and bring to a boil.
• Place the chicken back in the skillet and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until heated through.
• Remove from heat.
• Garnish with cheese and basil ribbons.
• Serve with pasta, rice, and/or salad.

ONE POT CREAMY PESTO CHICKEN PASTA

Steps:

• Cut the chicken breast into 1-inch pieces. Add the butter to a deep skillet and melt over medium heat. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook over medium heat until the chicken is slightly browned on the outside.
• While the chicken is cooking, mince the garlic. Add the garlic to the skillet with the chicken and continue to sauté for one minute more.
• Add the uncooked pasta and chicken broth to the skillet with the chicken and garlic. Stir to dissolve any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet. Place a lid on the skillet, turn the heat up to medium-high, and bring the broth up to a boil.
• Once the broth comes to a full boil, give the pasta a quick stir, replace the lid, and turn the heat down to medium-low. Let the pasta simmer over medium-low heat for about 8 minutes, or until the pasta is tender and most of the broth has been absorbed. Stir the pasta briefly every two minutes as it simmers, replacing the lid quickly each time.
• Once the pasta is tender and most of the broth absorbed, add the milk, cream cheese (cut into chunks), and pesto. Stir and cook over medium heat until the cream cheese has fully melted into the sauce. Finally, add the grated Parmesan and stir until combined.
• If using, add the fresh spinach and sliced sun dried tomatoes. Stir until the spinach has wilted, then remove the pasta from the heat. Top the pasta with freshly cracked pepper and a pinch of crushed red pepper, then serve.