Chicken Pesto Alfredo Bake

Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Toast walnuts in a dry pan for a few minutes until lightly golden.
  2. 2Add the toasted walnuts to a blender with olive oil, basil, Parmesan, garlic, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
  3. 3Blend until smooth to make the pesto.
  4. 4Add oil and butter to a pan and cook the chicken until fully cooked through, then set aside.
  5. 5In the same pan, add butter and sauté diced onion with salt, pepper, oregano, and Calabrian chilies until soft.
  6. 6Add minced garlic and stir until fragrant.
  7. 7Pour in white wine and let it reduce a bit.
  8. 8Pour in heavy cream, followed by the pesto. Stir until combined.
  9. 9Add Parmesan cheese in batches, stirring until melted before each addition.
  10. 10Stir in cooked pasta, broccoli, and chicken, making sure everything is nicely combined.
  11. 11Top with mozzarella, Parmesan cheese, and dollops of ricotta.
  12. 12Drizzle with olive oil, bake, and serve.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh basil
  • 0.5 cup California walnuts
  • 2 cloves garlic
  • 0.5 cup freshly grated Parmesan
  • 0.5 lemon
  • 0.5 cup olive oil
  • taste salt
  • taste pepper
  • 1 lb pasta
  • 1 lb chicken breast or thighs
  • taste salt
  • taste pepper
  • smoked paprika
  • oregano
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1 yellow onion
  • taste salt
  • taste pepper
  • 1 tsp dried oregano
  • 2 tsp Calabrian chili paste
  • 6 cloves garlic
  • 0.25 cup dry white wine
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 0.5 cup walnut pesto
  • 1 cup freshly shredded Parmesan cheese
  • 8 oz freshly shredded mozzarella
  • 2 cups steamed broccoli florets
  • 0.5 cup whole milk ricotta
  • olive oil
  • fresh parsley or basil

Equipment

panblender

Tips

  • Toasting walnuts enhances their flavor for the pesto.
  • Cover the chicken with a lid while cooking to help it cook through more efficiently.
  • Adding ricotta on top is optional.