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Chicken and Green Pesto Pasta

If it’s green it can go in this fast and easy to make pasta dish
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients

  • 500 grams chicken breast
  • 1 cup frozen peas
  • 1 cup spinach
  • 1 cup cashew nuts
  • 2 cups chicken stock
  • salt and pepper
  • olive oil
  • parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat a heavy bottomed pot on a medium to high heat.
  • Prepare your chicken by cutting into small pieces and pat dry with a paper towel.
  • When the pot is hot (a small splash of water will dance on the surface) add a good glug of oil and brown the chicken. Once its browned take the chicken out and return the pot to the heat.
  • Add the chicken stock to the pot and use a flat wooden spoon to get all the flavour off the bottom of the pot (deglazing).
  • Place the peas, spinach and cashews in the stock and simmer for 10-15 minutes until the cashews are soft.
  • While the sauce simmers boil a pot of water with another glug of oil, and cook the pasta using the directions on the packet.
  • Blitz the green pasta sauce using a stick blender (or alternatively transfer to a kitchen blender).  Place the chicken back into the pot and heat through.Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  • Plate up the pasta and top with the chicken and green pesto (top with parmesan cheese if you are using it).

Notes

Tips and Tricks
  • You could use kale, silverbeet or cavalo nero (or a combination) instead of spinach.  What ever is green and leafy in your veggie garden or veggie drawer.
  • Top with parmesan cheese to be extra fancy 
  • Make double of the chicken and green pesto, and freeze half for another night.  Perfect for a quick meal on busy evenings.
  • Buy broken cashew pieces in the bulk-food aisle for a cheaper alternative to whole cashew nuts.