Pasta pesto chicken

Wheat pasta is a healthy option of eating pasta! Also the chicken , adds a balance of protein that makes this dish a great meal.
This is one of the favorite ways of having pasta, rich creamy sauce and the combination of chicken with wheat pasta is liked by my family.



Ingredients
1 pound boneless skinless chicken cut into 1 inch cubes
salt to taste
1/2 tsp Thyme ( fresh or dried)
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp fresh finely chopped rosemary herb
2 tbsp butter
1 small onion chopped finely
2  garlic cloves  finely chopped
1 small roma tomato chopped finely 
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/2 shredded Parmesan cheese 
1 tsp crushed red chili 
1 tsp black pepper
1 box wheat pasta shells
1 small jar store bought pesto 

                                                                                 

                                                                   

  

Cook chicken 

Saute onions, garlic and latter add chopped tomatoes

Add cooked chicken to creamy sauce 

Add cooked pasta 

Pasta Pesto Chicken 

Method:

1. Fill up a medium cooking pot with water to cook the penne pasta (see recipe on pasta box)
Strain the cooked pasta and keep aside.
2. Clean chicken cubes,Coat with salt,thyme, seasoning, garlic powder and rosemary. In a pan, melt two tablespoon of butter, add chicken to cook on both sides, for about 5 to 6 minutes per side.
3. Once cooked, set aside, do not wipe or clean the skillet, as it has all the  flavors.
In the same pan, melt another two tablespoons of butter, saute onions, garlic and tomatoes. Add a pinch of salt and pepper, to taste.
Add 3 to 4 tablespoon of pesto(more or less depends upon how much you like pesto)
Pour heavy cream, stir to make a creamy sauce. Add in Parmesan cheese.
Add chicken. Allow everything to simmer together for 5 to 10 minutes. Add red crushed chili and salt to taste.
Pour in cooked pasta and cook with sauce for another 5 minutes.
Serve warm pasta with Italian  bread and enjoy ;)

Creamy Pasta in Vodka sauce

A creamy pasta , cooked in vodka sauce :)) and served with garlic bread!! This is a dish my daughter made for us and we just loved the flavor and smooth texture of pasta, that we make a point to remind her to make it often :))  
The recipe has simple ingredients with bold flavors, give it a try and you will want more!!
We just love this dish , hope you'll enjoy it too!!


                                                                   

Saute Onions and garlic

Add strained pasta to creamy  vodka sauce 

Creamy Pasta in Vodka Sauce 

Ingredients
1 box  pasta shells ( You can use penne, bow pasta )
1 can tomato sauce ( Roma tomatoes, but you can pick your choice )
2 cloves of garlic peeled and chopped finely
1 tbsp unsalted butter
1 tsp salt
1 tsp red chili flakes
1/2 cup vodka ( I prefer Grey goose but again take the vodka you would like to drink)
1/2 cup full cream
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese 
3 to 4 Fresh basil  leaves finely chopped
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Method 

1.Heat 2 cups of water , add 1 tsp salt and pasta shells, boil  for about 10 to 15 minutes. Check to see if cooked, ( should become soft, but not over cooked) strain and keep aside.
2.Heat a medium size skillet, Add unsalted butter and 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil, add in finely chopped onions. Saute for a minute or  two, as the appear translucent , add in garlic, continue stirring, for another minute. Remove from heat, and pour in the vodka, return skillet to burner, carefully allowing most of the vodka to evaporate. 3.Add in the tomatoes sauce , continue stirring. Add in salt, and red chili flakes, basil and lower heat and check for taste. Add in 1/2 tsp sugar if the tomatoes are too sour.
4.Next stir in the full cream, continue cooking, as the sauce starts to thicken, add in Parmesan cheese.
add the strained pasta and mix well. 
5.Served topped with some sprinkled Parmesan cheese and chopped basil leaves.