Perfect Pasta with Pesto Cream Sauce
 
Prep time
Total time
 
Grilled chicken, and freshly made pesto are tossed into pasta with a bit of butter and cream to make a fast and nourishing meal of the most delicious kind.
Alison:
Serves: 4 servings
Grocery List
  • 3 cloves garlic (or 3 minced tsp.)
  • ⅓ cup pine nuts +extra for garnish
  • ½ c. freshly grated parmesan +extra for garnish
  • 2 T. lemon juice and the zest of one lemon
  • 2 c. fresh basil
  • Salt and Pepper
  • ½ c. extra virgin olive oil
  • ¼ c. unsalted butter
  • ½ c. heavy cream
  • 1 lb. pasta
  • 1 lb. chicken breasts
Here's how...
  1. Slice chicken breasts into strips, sprinkle with salt and pepper (use your preference of seasonings), and grill to temp. Set aside to lest rest while you pull the rest together.
  2. Cook 1 lb. of pasta in salted water according to package directions. While it's cooking begin your pesto.
  3. Begin by peeling 3 good-sized cloves of garlic (or 3 tsp.) and tossing them in the food processor.
  4. Add in ⅓ c. of pine nuts (you can sub in walnuts to save on cost),
  5. /2 c. freshly grated parmesan cheese (skip the green bottle -- the additives make it clump), and 2 c. of rinsed, fresh basil leaves.
  6. Pulse until chopped into green loveliness. Now, push the on button on your processor and while it whirs, drizzle in extra virgin olive oil until the sound of the processor changes indicating that the pesto is emulsifying. It'll end up being about ½ c. olive oil.
  7. Sprinkle in about ½ tsp. salt and ¼ tsp. pepper, or to taste.
  8. This pesto will equal just about 1¼ c. of pesto. You can use whatever amount you prefer in your pasta. I use 1 cup.
  9. Now, in a large skillet, melt ¼ c. unsalted butter over low heat.
  10. To the melted butter, add ½ c. heavy whipping cream. Stir in the pesto, pasta, and chicken and gently warm. Sprinkle with additional pine nuts, and freshly grated parmesan.
Recipe by That Which Nourishes at https://thatwhichnourishes.com/perfect-pasta-pesto-cream-sauce/