Halal Chicken Pesto Pasta

Halal Chicken Pesto Pasta is a flavorful and satisfying dish that combines tender chicken with a vibrant homemade pesto sauce and al dente pasta. This quick and easy recipe is perfect for a late-night meal, bringing a taste of Italy to your midnight cravings.

Ingredients

• Pasta (spaghetti or penne) - 200 grams
• Halal chicken breast - 250 grams
• Fresh basil leaves - 50 grams
• Garlic - 2 cloves
• Pine nuts - 30 grams
• Parmesan cheese - 30 grams, grated
• Olive oil - 60 ml
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Cherry tomatoes - 100 grams, halved
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon

Steps

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving a cup of pasta water.
2. While the pasta is cooking, season the halal chicken breast with salt and black pepper.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken breast and cook for about 6-7 minutes on each side until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove from heat and let it rest for a few minutes before slicing it into bite-sized pieces.
4. In a food processor, combine the basil leaves, garlic cloves, pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, and remaining olive oil. Blend until smooth, adding reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency.
5. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked pasta, sliced chicken, pesto sauce, halved cherry tomatoes, and lemon juice. Toss until everything is well coated.
6. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 650
• Protein: 40 g
• Carbs: 70 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 80 mg
• Total Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• High in protein from chicken, supporting muscle growth and repair.
• Rich in healthy fats from olive oil and pine nuts, beneficial for heart health.

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