Phenomenal Chicken and Pasta in Creamy Pesto Sauce

An extremely delicious meal: the crunch of pine nuts and the tang of sun-dried tomatoes combine with chicken and pasta in a heavenly pesto cream sauce. Be sure to taste and salt before serving, because depending on what kind of chicken broth you use, the dish may require no salt at all or may be extremely under-salted.

• Preparation Time: 40 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 55 mins
• Calories: 943 Calories

Ingredients

• 1 cup white wine
• salt to taste
• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 large onion, diced
• 2 tablespoons dried basil
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• ¼ cup chicken broth
• ½ cup white wine
• 3 cloves garlic
• ⅓ cup pine nuts
• 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• ⅓ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 (16 ounce) package dried penne pasta
• 1 medium ripe tomato, chopped
• 2 cups fresh basil
• 6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips
• ½ (8 ounce) jar oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and sliced

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Place basil, garlic, Parmesan, pine nuts, and tomato in a food processor. Gradually add olive oil, while pulsing, until mixture is smooth and creamy.

Step 2

In a bowl, stir together chicken broth, 1 cup white wine, dried basil, oregano, and minced garlic. Stir in chicken pieces.

Step 3

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta, and cook until just al dente, about 8 minutes. Drain, and rinse under cold water. Toss with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Set aside.

Step 4

Heat 3 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onions, and sprinkle with sugar. Cook until the onions are soft and translucent. Stir in sun-dried tomatoes and pine nuts, and cook about 3 minutes. Stir in chicken and marinade. Stir in 1/2 cup white wine. Simmer chicken pieces, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.

Step 5

Add pasta and pesto to the skillet. Stir in cream, and cook until the sauce is thickened. Adjust salt and freshly ground pepper to taste, and serve with freshly grated Parmesan.