Penne With Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto and Chicken

Submitted by Juju Bee

"I saw this recipe being made on "Everyday Italian" on the food network. The original recipe did not call for chicken, but I think it needed a little meat to make it extra yummy. Enjoy!"

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photo by Juju Bee

Ready In:: 30mins
Ingredients:: 7
Serves:: 5

ingredients

12 ounces penne pasta
1 ¹⁄₂ cups diced cooked chicken
1 (8 1/2 ounce) jar sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil
2 garlic cloves
salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 cup packed fresh basil leaf
¹⁄₂ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese

directions

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to the bite (al dente), stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
Meanwhile chop cooked chicken.
Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
Blend the sun-dried tomatoes and their oil, garlic, salt and pepper, to taste, and basil in a food processor and blend until the tomatoes are very finely chopped.
Transfer the tomato mixture to a large bowl and stir in the Parmesan and the chicken.
Add the pasta to the pesto and toss to coat, adding enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten.
Season the pasta to taste, with salt and pepper and serve.