Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

What is the main protein source for your family? Chicken is the primary meat that I serve. It's such an easy and versatile meat to cook. But in recent years, consumers have become more aware of the connection between how meat is raised to the effects it has on our bodies as well as the ethical reasoning behind treating production meat with care and dignity.

I've kept a small flock of laying hens for the last 3 years and raising them by hand has given me a new appreciation for the animals that provide food for us to eat. I am very mindful to teach my daughters that the eggs on their plate for breakfast didn't magically appear from thin air; and neither do any of the other ingredients that we are blessed to share at our table. My thought process isn't unique; in a recent study 85% of Millennial parents indicated that their criteria for buying meat and poultry has changed over the last several years, 42% cited having a child as the primary reason.  When I buy any kind of meat I prioritize on buying organic or antibiotic free. I also want to rest assured that the animal was treated with respect during its life and prepared for my table with dignity. That's why I chose Foster Farms Simply Raised fresh chicken for this meal. Simply Raised poultry never has any antibiotics, the chickens are fed an entirely vegetarian diet and are American Humane Certified. When the time of butcher comes, the meat is minimally processed without any additives, preservatives, steroids or hormones. It's also good to know that Simply Raised Foster Farms chickens are locally grown in the Pacific Northwest, so I'm not having to pay for transport time between the farm and the grocery store where I buy it. When it comes to store bought affordable chicken, you can't beat Foster Farms!

I can't talk about this delicious meat without giving you an equally delicious recipe, so here you go! This is a new one for our house, but a goodie that came over from the kitchens of That Mama Gretchen and her sister.

CREAMY PESTO CHICKEN PASTA 

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup basil, fresh and coarsely chopped
• 3/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 4 tablespoons pine nuts
• 3 cloves garlic 
• salt, pepper or Italian seasoning to taste
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 2/3 cup heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 12 ounces cavatappi pasta
• 3-4 chicken breasts, cubed
• Extras: more Parmesan cheese and diced tomatoes

DIRECTIONS
1. To make your pesto, blend basil, Parmesan cheese, pine nuts and garlic in a food processor. Drizzle a little bit of olive oil, give it one more spin and set aside.
2. Prepare pasta as according to package directions, drain and set aside.3. Melt butter in a large skillet and slowly add in the cream, stirring constantly. Add the pesto, still stirring. Once it has thickened up pesto in and swirl it all around. Yum – pesto cream sauce! Add the drained pasta to the skillet and set aside.
4. In a separate skillet, pan fry your chicken cubes with a drizzle of olive oil.  Season to taste with salt and pepper or Italian seasoning. Cook until it is done.
5. Combine chicken with your pasta and sauce - and you're done! Plate it up and top it with Parmesan cheese and diced tomatoes. Bon Apetit! 

Looking for more inspiration?

 I call this the "Pinterest of Chicken Recipes" - you're bound to find a bunch of good, simple recipes that are renditions of good old fashioned comfort food favorites in there!  

Which one is your favorite recipe?

Disclosure: Thank you, Foster Farms, for sponsoring today's post 

and letting me share this deeeeeeeelicious recipe!