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  • RECIPES

Chicken Pesto Penne

For a quick weeknight meal, it's hard to beat a comforting dish of chicken and pasta. This recipe works with any shape pasta, which pretty much guarantees that you'll already have in your cupboard. Add fresh pesto and a good handful of grated Parmesan Cheese and you'll create a family dinner that comes together in 30 minutes or less!

Serves: 4-6 

Servings: 4

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes 

Ingredients

  • 1 package (16oz.) Stew's Dried Penne Rigate, cooked. Reserve 1/4 cup pasta cooking water
  • 1/2 cup Stew's Grated Parmesan Cheese, packed
  • 1.5 lbs. Stew's Naked Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts
  • 3/4 tsp. Stew's Kosher Salt, divided
  • 1/4 tsp. Stew's Fine Ground Black Pepper
  • 1 Tbsp. Stew's Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 1 tsp. Stew's Freshly Chopped Garlic
  • 1 cup Stew's Heavy Cream
  • 1/2 cup Stew's Basil Pesto Sauce
  • 5 oz. Baby Spinach
  • 1 small bunch Basil, for garnish

Directions

  1. Bring 4-6 quarts of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta. Return to a boil and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally for about 10 minutes or until desired doneness. Remove from heat and drain.

  2. Pat the chicken breasts dry with paper towels and cut into 1-inch cubes.

  3. Season the chicken all over with ½ teaspoon of the salt and the black pepper.

  4. In a large high-sided skillet, heat the olive oil over medium high heat until shimmering.

  5. Add the chicken in a single layer and cook, turning occasionally, until cooked through and browned on both sides, about 5-8 minutes in total.

  6. Add the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds.

  7. Add the heavy cream, basil pesto, remaining salt, and reserved pasta water. Stir to combine.

  8. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has thickened slightly, 6 – 8 minutes.

  9. Add the Parmesan and pasta to the pan and toss to combine. Add the baby spinach by the handful and cook until slightly wilted. Garnish with fresh basil leaves.

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