Pesto Chicken & Bacon Summer Pasta
User Reviews
4.7
6 reviews
Excellent
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Prep Time
30 mins
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Cook Time
15 mins
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Total Time
45 mins
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Servings
8 servings
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Calories
482 kcal
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
American
Pesto Chicken & Bacon Summer Pasta
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Perfect for any time of day, this recipe delivers great flavor effortlessly.
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Ingredients
- 1 lb pasta 500 grams, short curly pasta like girelle or rotini
- 6 lices Bacon 150 grams, Wegmans Center Cut Uncured, 25% Less Sodium, chopped
- 2/3 cup basil pesto 166 grams, Buitoni Reduced Fat
- 2/3 cup dry white wine 5.36 fl oz, like Sauvignon Blanc
- 1/4 cup half and half (2 fl oz)
- 1/4 cup water keep at least one cup just in case you need more, reserved pasta water
- 2 zucchini 305 grams, small, trimmed and seeds removed, then chopped
- 3 corn on the cob 203 grams corn yield, small
- 3 cloves garlic 12 grams, sliced
- 1 lemon zested
- 1 tsp lemon pepper seasoning Oh My Spice! brand
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
Pesto Chicken
- 2 lbs chicken tenderloin
- 1/3 cup pesto
- 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
Instructions
- Mix all chicken marinade ingredients, then massage into chicken until evenly coated. Set aside in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or up to 4 hours.
- Pre-heat grill to 400°. Spray grill grates with non-stick grill spray or brush grates with vegetable oil. Allow excess marinade to drip from the chicken before adding to grill. Grill one side for 5 minutes, then flip and grill for an additional 4-5 minutes. The internal temperature should just barely reach 165° as you remove the chicken from from the grill. Rest for 5 minutes before slicing.
- Add corn to the hot grill grates and grill for 5-6 minutes, turning 2-3 times. Set aside to cool, then cut corn from the cob and set aside.
- Heat a large heavy bottomed pot over medium-high heat (I used a 7 qt enameled cast iron pot). Once hot, add chopped bacon and cook while stirring for 2-3 minutes or until bacon begins to turn golden brown and is cooked through. Remove bacon to a paper towel lined plate using a slotted spoon.
- Add 1 tsp olive oil to the pot. Add chopped zucchini, sliced garlic, and red pepper flakes, then sauté, stirring frequently. Some of the browned bits left at the bottom of the pot from cooking the bacon should come up and coat the zucchini and garlic. Continue sautéing the zucchini and garlic for 3-4 minutes - the zucchini should turn bright green but still be firm. Remove zucchini to a bowl and set aside, removing garlic slices.
- Add wine to the pot to deglaze. The wine should quickly come to a boil and burn off the alcohol. Scrape up the remaining browned bits and pour wine out into a bowl. Set aside.
- Fill the pot with enough water to cook the pasta (mine was filled about half way to the top). Bring water to a boil, add kosher salt, then add pasta and stir. Cover and boil pasta to very al dente, about 13 minutes.
- Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water and drain the rest. Return pasta to the pot, then add pesto, half and half, cooked wine, zucchini, corn, bacon, seasoning, and 1/4 to 1/2 cup of reserved pasta water. Stir and set aside to cool.
- Serve pasta with chicken on top or mixed in. Top with fresh ricotta cheese, lemon zest, and parmesan before serving, if desired.
Notes
- The nutrition info for this recipe will vary widely depending on the pesto you use. I usually like to buy the fresh made Wegmans basil pesto for maximum flavor, but calculated the nutrition using the Buitoni Reduced Fat Pesto since it's widely available.
- Click here or scan the barcode below to log this food in My Fitness Pal.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
346grams
Calories
482kcal
(24%)
Carbohydrates
56g
(19%)
Protein
38g
(76%)
Fat
11g
(17%)
Cholesterol
67mg
(22%)
Sodium
674mg
(28%)
Potassium
363mg
(8%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
6g
(12%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 8servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 482 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 346grams | |
| Calories | 482kcal | 24% |
| Carbohydrates | 56g | 19% |
| Protein | 38g | 76% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Cholesterol | 67mg | 22% |
| Sodium | 674mg | 28% |
| Potassium | 363mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 6g | 12% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.7
6 reviews
Excellent
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