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Mediterranean Chicken Pesto Pasta

Mediterranean Chicken Pesto Pasta

Bill Bradley
4.29 from 7 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 524 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 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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