Creamy Red Pesto Chicken With Pasta Recipes

CHICKEN WITH PESTO CREAM

Steps:

• In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade, add the basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, half of the garlic, salt and black pepper and pulse to combine. With the food processor running, drizzle in the 1/3 cup olive oil until the sauce comes together and is smooth. Set aside.
• Slice the chicken breast in half horizontally so you have 8 thinner cutlets. Sprinkle both sides of each cutlet with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 tablespoon each butter and olive oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the cutlets and cook through, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove to a plate. Repeat with the remaining cutlets.
• Reduce the heat to medium and add the remaining 3 tablespoons butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil along with the red onion and remaining sliced garlic. Cook, stirring frequently, 1 to 2 minutes. Add the rainbow chard and cook, stirring, until lightly wilted, about 1 minute. Add the lemon juice and stir for an additional 30 seconds. Remove to a plate.
• Without cleaning the skillet, add the cream and heat for 1 minute. Stir in about a third of a cup of the pesto and return the chicken to the pan. Bring to a simmer and allow to thicken, 1 to 2 minutes. (Refrigerate the remaining pesto in an air tight container for up to 5 days.)
• Make a bed of rainbow chard on a large platter. Top with the chicken cutlets and drizzle the sauce over the top. Sprinkle with the tomatoes and serve.

CREAMY PESTO CHICKEN PASTA

Steps:

• Saute garlic in butter and olive oil until fragrant. Cook pasta while sauce cooks, according to package directions.
• Add chicken, whipping cream, salt, and pepper (to taste).
• Let sauce simmer until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes.
• Add pesto and parmesan. Stir until creamy and thickened.
• Pour pasta, sprinkle desired amount of parmesan over dish.

CREAMY RED PESTO CHICKEN WITH PASTA

Steps:

• Bring water to the boil in a saucepan and start to cook the pasta (if using fresh pasta, start cooking it later).
• Heat the oil in a skillet over a medium heat. Add the diced chicken and cook for 4 minutes.
• Add the diced red onion and cook for a further 5 minutes.
• Add the sundried tomato pesto and creme fraiche to the chicken and onion in the skillet. Stir and heat through thoroughly, making sure the chicken is fully cooked.
• Stir in the grated parmesan cheese and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Add the sauce to the pasta, stir through and serve, or alternatively serve the pasta topped with the sauce.

PASTA WITH PUMPKIN SEED PESTO

Steps:

• Bring a large saucepan of generously salted water to a boil. Drop the garlic cloves into the boiling water and boil for 30 seconds to temper their sharpness. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the cloves to a food processor or blender.
• Drop the pasta into the boiling water and cook until al dente.
• While the pasta cooks, add the pumpkin seeds and a pinch each of salt and pepper to the garlic, and process until very finely ground. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add the basil. Scoop 1/4 cup water from the saucepan with the boiling pasta and pour over the basil. Process the basil until ground to a paste. Add the Parmesan and oil, and pulse just until incorporated. Taste the pesto and season with enough salt and pepper to make it punchy.
• Drain the pasta and rinse under cool water until room temperature. Shake dry, then return to the saucepan, and add the pesto and tomatoes, if using. Stir well until everything is evenly coated. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Divide among dishes to serve right away or airtight containers to pack for lunch. Sprinkle with pumpkin seeds and Parmesan, and serve, or cover and refrigerate for up to 5 days.