Home Chef winner’s healthy pesto chicken pasta

Winner of TODAY's Home Chef Challenge shares her recipe for delicious penne dish

Liz Della Croce

TODAY recipes

updated 11/15/2011 8:41:41 AM ET

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Home Chef Challenge winner Liz Della Croce shares her recipe for a healthy pasta dish featuring pesto chicken and Swiss chard. Learn more about Liz, and click here to enter your own recipes to TODAY's Home Chef Challenge!

Recipe: Pesto chicken pasta with Swiss chard (on this page)

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Recipe: Pesto chicken pasta with Swiss chard

Liz Della Croce, Home Chef Challenge winner

Ingredients

8 oz whole wheat penne
12 oz boneless chicken breasts - cubed
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 bunch swiss chard - chopped
For pesto
1 c basil leaves - packed
2 cloves garlic
1/2 c parmigiano reggiano cheese
2 tbs lemon juice
1 tsp lemon zest
2 tbs pine nuts (toasted)
1/4 c olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Preparation

For pesto:
Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend well. Season with salt/pepper to taste.

For pasta:
Prepare whole wheat penne according to package directions, reserving 1/2 cup starchy cooking liquid.

Meanwhile, heat a large sauce pan to medium-high heat and spray with non-stick spray. Season cubed chicken with salt and pepper before adding to pan. Cook until chicken is browned, about 7 minutes. Remove chicken from pan. Add swiss chard to the pan along with 2 tbs reserved cooking water. Using a wooden spoon, scrape up the browned bits leftover from the chicken. Cover and let steam for 2 minutes.

Add basil pesto to the chard and cook until warmed. Add more of the reserved pasta cooking water to loosen the pesto and create a sauce. Stir in chicken and pasta before serving.

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