Discover a delightful meal with creamy chicken pesto pasta and a refreshing French bistro salad! Craving something delicious yet easy to prepare?
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta – A Savory Delight
This recipe's centerpiece is the creamy chicken pesto pasta, a dish designed for any busy home cook looking to whip up something satisfying in a short amount of time. What makes this meal extraordinary is the harmony between the rich flavors of basil pesto and the juicy shredded rotisserie chicken. Using store-bought basil pesto enhances the dish's convenience, allowing you to focus on enjoying your meal rather than tolerating time-consuming preparations.
### Recipe for Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Kosher salt and black pepper to taste
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained
- 1/2 cup basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- A handful of torn basil leaves for garnish
### Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Bring water in a medium pot to a boil, and salt it generously. Add the penne pasta and cook until al dente (about 8-9 minutes). Reserve about 1 cup of the cooking water and drain the pasta.
2. In a large non-stick skillet, heat extra virgin olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the chopped onions and cook until translucent (about 3-5 minutes).
3. Stir in the shredded rotisserie chicken and combine it well with the onions. Add cooked pasta, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. Mix until fully combined until the pasta is glossy and coated. Add reserved pasta cooking water a little at a time if the dish looks dry.
4. Remove from heat, stir in the basil pesto, and finish with grated parmesan, red pepper flakes, and torn basil leaves. Serve and relish the flavors!
A Refreshing Side: French Bistro Salad
Pair your creamy chicken pesto pasta with a flavorful French bistro salad—a simple yet classic dish that brightens up your meal. This salad, crowned with extra virgin olive oil and adorned with Dijon mustard, yields a super combo in terms of taste and health. Not only does the salad provide a refreshed palate, but its lightness allows the rich flavors of the pasta to shine through.
### Recipe for French Bistro Salad
Ingredients:
- 6-8 cups mixed greens
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano or thyme
- 1/2 medium shallot, finely minced
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
### Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. In a small mixing bowl, combine salt and freshly ground pepper. Pour in the vinegar, mixing until the salt dissolves completely.
2. Next, incorporate the herbs (oregano or thyme) and mustard into the vinegar mixture, then whisk until well combined.
3. Gradually add the extra virgin olive oil, whisking continuously until the dressing emulsifies beautifully.
4. Toss the mixed greens in your dressing until evenly coated. Optionally, add a minced anchovy if you want to elevate the flavor further.
5. Serve the salad cold as a refreshing accompaniment to your creamy pasta dish.
### Why You’ll Love This Meal
Using store-bought basil pesto paired with shredded rotisserie chicken in the creamy chicken pesto pasta not only saves cooking time but also manufactures extraordinary flavor. A well-crafted French bistro salad featuring extra virgin olive oil and savory Dijon mustard further elevates the entire dining experience, adding colorful freshness to your plate.
This combination of creamy chicken pesto pasta and French bistro salad allows you to enjoy a gourmet meal on a busy weeknight without the hassle of extensive food prep. Try this meticulously crafted recipe today to delight friends and family with your culinary prowess! Always keep quality ingredients on hand for a tasteful, stress-free dining experience.