Garlic Pesto Chicken

Garlic Pesto Chicken

(This picture is from the original site I got the recipe from b/c I forgot to take a pic)

**Keep in mind this is what I needed to feed my family of 8 so If you don't have so many to feed, you would obviously half the recipe! :)**

• Marinade:
• 1/2 bottle of a herb and garlic Marinade
• 4 tbs pesto
• 2 boneless chicken breasts  *( I bought a bag of frozen chicken tenders from Wal-Mart bc I didn't want to have to cut the chicken...lol!  Hey, this is all about fast and easy, right?  And I used the whole bag)
• Sauce:
• 16 oz package of pasta (I used Rigatoni)
• 4 tbs extra virgin olive oil
• 3 garlic cloves
• 4 tbs pesto
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 2- 8 oz tomato sauce
• 2 cups of milk  (recipe calls for half and half but I had milk already)

First, the day before you make it, get your bag of chicken tenders (or whatever you choose) out and I thawed them in hot water so It'd be faster.  Once thawed put back in the bag they came in (mine was able to be resealed but if not improvise)  and pour in the 1/2 bottle of marinade and 4 tbs of pesto.  Marinate for 24 hours.

Then when your ready to make dinner, pour chicken in a pan to cook.  Then get a pan and boil your pasta.  While that is going get out ANOTHER saucepan  (I know, I know, a lot of dishes but hey, it's okay!  This will be worth it!)  Heat your 4tbs of olive oil in a pan.  When warm add the 4tbs of pesto and chicken broth and simmer until reduced by half.  Then add your two cans of tomato sauce and 2 cups of milk and warm. (if it is too thin for you then you can thicken it with a little bit of flour but I didn't do that)   When the chicken and pasta are done, you drain your pasta, pour into a large bowl (or the one you cooked your pasta in), add the pan of sauce, and toss.  Then put chicken on top.  

Yep.  That is it!  VOILA!!  

This recipe we all thought was VERY good!   And it was simple and fairly cheap.  

Here's what I spent on what I didn't have.  

$8 for the bag of chicken tenders

$4.50 for the little jar of pesto  (you can obviously make your own if you choose, but for me it                                                                        was cheaper to get the jar cuz I don't use pesto...well hardly ever.)

$2 for the pasta

$1.50 for the tomato sauce

$2 herb and garlic marinade

( I had everything else on hand)

So for my family of eight I spent $18 total which comes to $2.25 a person!  Pretty good I'd say! :)

This recipe gets a rating of :  4