How to Make Broccoli and Basil Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken, Recipe

If you are a pasta lover you will really enjoy this dish. The basil pesto is what makes this dish so delicious and packs it with flavor. Broccoli is a nice addition, providing a serving of veggies and tastes awesome with the pesto and pasta. If you like basil pesto you will love this easy pasta recipe. This is one recipe that my family gets excited about and is sure to be added to your recipe collection. Enjoy!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 3 to 4 chicken breasts
• poultry seasoning
• paprika
• olive oil
• 16 oz penne pasta or your favorite pasta
• 3 broccoli crowns
• sun dried tomatoes, chopped, amount as desired
• 1 jar basil pesto
• grated parmesan cheese

1. 
    
   Grilled Chicken is Amazing with Basil Pesto Pasta

   Prepare the Chicken
   Preheat the grill. Sprinkle the chicken with poultry seasoning and paprika. Then brush the chicken with olive oil to help keep it from drying out and to keep it from sticking to the grill. Grill on one side, brush with olive oil before turning and grilling on the other.
   
   Grill the chicken for approx. 6-8 minutes per side.
   
   Slice the grilled chicken and keep warm while you prepare the rest of the recipe.

2. Prepare the Pasta
   Cook the pasta according to package directions. Be sure and add some salt to the water before adding the pasta, this adds flavor. Drain and return to pot. Cover to keep warm if needed.
   
   I used Penne pasta in this dish, but any pasta you have on hand will work fine.

3. 
    
   Broccoli is Excellant with Basil Pesto Pasta

   Prepare the Broccoli
   Cut the broccoli into bite size pieces, then steam until tender.

4. 
    
   Basil Pesto

   Now you are ready to mix it all up. Add the broccoli and sun dried tomatoes to the pasta. Pour the basil pesto over the top and mix well.

5. 
    
   Broccoli and Basil Pesto Pasta with Grilled Chicken

   Dish yourself up a serving of the broccoli and basil pesto pasta and top it with some grilled chicken. Give it a good sprinkling of parmesan cheese. Oh my gosh...so delicious!

Tips & Warnings

• I usually cut each chicken breast in half lengthwise, so that I end up with 6 to 8 thin breasts. I find they go further this way.
• Toasted pine nuts are also delicious in this pasta recipe.
• I have also made this with sweet italian turkey sausage and it was very good.

Resources

• The Complete Book of Pasta and Noodles Cookbook at Amazon
• Betty Crocker's Best Chicken Cookbook at Amazon

[jenng]

on 5/10/2009 Oh this sounds good 5*