Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta with Bacon and Veggies

Hi everyone! I'm Sarah - I blog over at Fantastical Sharing of Recipes. I'm excited that Lauren was willing to let me take over the blog for a day :) Fantastical Sharing is my way of documenting (and sharing) all the recipes I test out. I'm a cooking/baking maniac. My family strives on variety and I try to stay away from prepared or boxed meals as much as possible.

I have been exploring foods lately that I have never tried including "weird" cheeses like Gruyere and super secretive things like pesto. I always thought pesto was some kind of concoction that only vegetarians ate. Don't ask me where I got that from - I don't have an answer.

Anyways, one day I stumbled across a blog post sharing a pesto recipe (I think on Chef in Training). I looked at the ingredients and my jaw dropped. Everything in pesto was something I would eat and something all of my family would eat. So now I'm definitely trying to be careful of what I assume of foods. Most likely it isn't true!

This recipe combines some of my favorite things, like pasta, broccoli, and bacon, with pesto, beans, and chicken. It's fantastic. There are many different textures and flavors in each bite - it was such a hit at my table!


Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta with Bacon and Veggies (Print)


from Picky Palate

What you need:

• 2 Tbsp. EVOO
• 2 chicken breasts, seasoned with salt and pepper
• 1 lb. mini bowties
• 2 Tbsp. EVOO
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 3/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 2 Tbsp. minced garlic
• 4 cups broccoli florets
• 15 oz. white beans
• 15 oz. chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto (I used this one from Savory Sweet Life)
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled

Directions:

1. Heat 2 Tbsp. EVOO in a skillet over medium-high heat. Brown chicken for 4 minutes on each side or until cooked through. Remove to a plate and set aside.
2. Cook bowties al dente, rinse, and drain. Set aside.
3. Heat 2 Tbsp. EVOO in a large pot over medium heat. Add onion, pepper, garlic, and broccoli. Saute for 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, slice chicken into strips, cubes, or bite-size pieces - whatever you prefer. Set aside.
5. Stir in beans, broth, cream, pesto, and Parmesan. Reduce heat to low. Simmer for 5 to 10 minutes to heat everything through.
6. Add bacon, pasta, and chicken. Heat through.