Tomato & Basil Chicken Pasta with Pesto
Ingredients
1 lb. whole wheat pasta
1 lb. chicken
1 ½ c. basil
½ c. chopped walnuts
⅓ c. extra virgin olive oil
½ c. grated parmesan
3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
1 T. Lemon juice
Salt & Pepper, to taste
1 ½ c. cherry tomatoes, halved
½ cup mozzarella, shredded
Instructions
- Fill pot with hot water, add salt, place on stove and allow to boil.
- While waiting for water to come to boil, start cooking the chicken.
- Place grill pan over medium high heat. Add chicken to pan, and season with salt and pepper. Cook about 4-5 minutes on each side, making sure to season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Add pasta to water once it has come to a boil, cook according to package directions,
- While pasta and chicken are cooking, make the pesto. Add basil & walnuts to food processor and process until finely chopped, then add in parmesan, garlic, olive oil, lemon juice, about ¼ t. of salt and pepper. Set aside.
- Prep the tomatoes by cutting in half, or in quarters if desired.
- When chicken is done, remove it from heat and let it rest, covered loosely with foil until you have the rest of the prep done.
- When pasta is done, drain, and return to pot.
- Add Pesto to pasta, stir, then add tomatoes and stir.
- Spoon out pasta mixture into your pasta bowl, then top with chicken that has been cut into ½” strips. Sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and enjoy!