Description
Hearty Italian chicken pesto delivers Mediterranean flavors with simple, fresh ingredients. Bold garlic and basil notes blend perfectly, inviting home cooks to savor authentic Italian cuisine.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 packages (9 oz/255 g) Perdue Short Cuts Original Roasted Carved Chicken Breast
- 1 pound (454 g) shelf-stable potato or cauliflower gnocchi
- 6 oz (170 g) fresh baby spinach leaves
- 1 pint (473 ml) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 4 oz (113 g) goat cheese, crumbled
- 6 tbsps store-bought pesto
- 2 teaspoons olive oil
- 0.5 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons chopped parsley and/or basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Gnocchi Preparation: Bring a large pot of salted water to a vigorous boil, then delicately drop gnocchi and cook until they rise to the surface, about 30 seconds. Drain and toss with extra virgin olive oil to prevent clumping, then generously coat with pesto. Reserve some cooking water for later use.
- Chicken Searing: Heat a spacious skillet and cook chicken over medium-high heat until achieving a rich golden-brown exterior and ensuring complete internal cooking, approximately 5-6 minutes per side.
- Vegetable Integration: Introduce fresh spinach to the skillet, stirring until leaves wilt and become tender. Add cherry tomatoes and an additional portion of pesto, gently combining with chicken and spinach. Modulate sauce consistency by incorporating reserved cooking water as needed.
- Final Assembly: Gently fold prepared gnocchi into the skillet, ensuring thorough coating and even heating. Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese over the dish, allowing gentle melting from residual heat. Optional: Garnish with freshly chopped parsley or basil leaves for vibrant presentation and enhanced flavor profile.
Notes
- Prevent Gnocchi Sticking: Immediately toss gnocchi with olive oil after draining to stop clumping and ensure smooth texture.
- Perfect Chicken Browning: Cook chicken over medium-high heat for golden color, checking internal temperature reaches 165°F for safe consumption.
- Create Silky Sauce: Use reserved cooking water to thin pesto sauce, creating a light, glossy coating that clings perfectly to gnocchi and chicken.
- Cheese Melting Technique: Sprinkle crumbled goat cheese just before serving, letting residual heat gently soften the cheese without completely melting it.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Lunch
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 490
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 900 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 47 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 33 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg