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Penne with Pesto and Chicken Crumbs

17/11/2023

Penne with Pesto and Chicken Crumbs is a simple and tasty dish that combines the tradition of Genovese pesto with the flavorful touch of crispy chicken. Here’s how to prepare this delicious Italian dish:

Ingredients

  • 350 g of penne rigate
  • 200 g of chicken breast
  • 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 100 g of Genovese pesto (homemade if you prefer)
  • Stale bread as needed
  • Garlic powder (optional)
  • 30 g of pine nuts (optional for garnish)

Preparation

  1. Start by cutting the chicken breast into small pieces or strips. In a non-stick pan, heat a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil and cook the chicken until golden and crispy. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside once cooked.

  2. Meanwhile, cook the penne in plenty of salted water according to the package instructions for al dente texture.

  3. While the pasta is cooking and the chicken is cooling, crumble the stale bread. You can do this using a food processor, or if you prefer a more manual method, by grating it with a large-hole grater. In a separate pan, heat a tablespoon of oil and toast the bread crumbs until they are crispy and golden. If desired, you can add a pinch of garlic powder for a more intense flavor.

  4. Drain the pasta al dente and save some of the cooking water. Pour the penne into a large bowl, add the Genovese pesto, and mix well. If the mixture is too thick, you can add some of the reserved cooking water to make it more creamy.

  5. Add the crispy chicken to the penne seasoned with pesto and mix gently to avoid breaking the chicken pieces.

  6. Serve the dish garnished with the toasted bread crumbs and, if desired, a sprinkling of toasted pine nuts for an extra touch of crunchiness and flavor.

Curiosity

Genovese pesto is a Ligurian sauce made of fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, Parmesan and Pecorino cheese. Although it is a classic dressing for pasta, pesto lends itself to numerous variations and combinations, creating innovative and surprising dishes like this one.

Penne with pesto and chicken crumbs