Chicken and Vegetable Pasta in a Creamy Pesto Sauce

Ingredients(Serves 3)

1. Pasta – 2.5 cups

2. Olive oil – 1.5 tbsp

3. Chicken – 200 gm, cut into bite-sized pieces

    Garlic powder – 1/8 tsp

    Onion powder – 1/8 tsp

    Salt and pepper – To taste

4. Garlic – 2 medium cloves, minced

    Onion – 1/2 cup, thinly sliced

5. Mushroom – 3/4 cup, sliced

    Green and orange/red bell pepper – 1/2 cup each

6. Heavy cream – 1/4 cup

    Chicken / vegetable stock – 1/3 cup

7. Basil pesto (homemade or store-bought)  – 2 tbsp

8. Sun-dried tomatoes – 4 – 5, sliced

9. Salt and pepper – To taste

10. Parmesan cheese – 2 – 3 tbsp, grated

      Parsley, chopped – 2 – 3 tbsp, to garnish

Method

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions adding salt till al dente. 

2. Heat oil in a pan at medium-high heat. Add in the chicken pieces, salt, garlic powder, onion powder and pepper. Mix well and cook for 5 – 6 minutes, stirring occasionally until chicken pieces are done. Transfer to a plate.

3. In the remaining oil, add onion and minced garlic. Saute for 2 minutes and then add sliced mushroom. Saute for a minute or two and then add the green and orange bell pepper. Cook for  a minute. Bring down the heat to medium-low. Add heavy cream, chicken stock, salt and pepper. Mix well and cook for a couple of minutes.  Add basil pesto. Mix well and cook for a few more minutes until the sauce starts to thicken. Add sun-dried tomatoes and cooked chicken and mix well.

3. When the pasta is done (I cook an additional minute or two as I like tender pasta),  drain and add to the prepared sauce. Mix well and switch off. Top with fresh grated parmesan cheese, parsley and serve immediately.