This is a healthy dinner the whole family will love! Tender and juicy almond-crusted chicken, paired with homemade basil pesto pasta. Then sprinkle with cheese and broil! My kids asked for this as leftovers the next day but it was already gone.
salt to taste, remember how salty parmesan is; taste first
For egg wash:
1egg
1tablespoonpestofrom the pesto you just made
For the chicken:
4chicken breasts
salt and pepper
1tablespoonflour
For the pasta:
1poundspaghetti
1/2cuppestoof the pesto you just made
1/4cupbutter1/2 stick
1teaspoonsalt
pepper to taste
1/2Pepper Jack cheeseor 1 cup, shredded
1 & 1/2cupscherry tomatoes
1/2cupPepper Jack cheeseshredded (to top)
Instructions
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and spray with nonstick spray. Set aside. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
Start by making the almond crust for the chicken. In a food processor, combine 1 cup almonds, 1/2 teaspoon salt, garlic powder, and pepper to taste. Pulse until the almonds are ground fine (see photo). Remove the nut mixture to a plate and set aside.
Make the pesto: In the same food processor (don't bother washing), combine basil, garlic, almonds, and parmesan. Pulse until it makes a paste, then slowly add the oil in WHILE the food processor is running, so that the oil emulsifies. Salt to taste.
Add 1 tablespoon of the pesto to a shallow bowl or plate. Add an egg and beat together with a fork.
Prep the chicken: Pat chicken dry with paper towels and lay them out on a plate or work surface. Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Sprinkle both sides with 1 tablespoon flour.
Add 1 chicken breast to the egg-pesto mixture and turn to coat. Lift it out, letting the excess egg drip off, then roll the chicken in the nut mixture. Place the chicken on the baking sheet.
Repeat with the remaining chicken.
Bake the chicken in the oven at 375 for about 25-30 minutes, or until a thermometer reads 160 degrees F. (The nut crust will not change color much, fyi.)
Meanwhile, make the pasta. Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Drain well and return to pot.
While the pasta is still hot, add 1/2 pesto, butter, 1 teaspoon salt, pepper, and Pepper Jack cheese. Add cherry tomatoes and stir.
Transfer the pasta to a casserole dish. Top with cooked chicken. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup Pepper Jack.
Broil on the top rack for 2-4 minutes. Do NOT walk away! How sad would it be to burn your dinner after all that. Watch it! Don't leave! Set a timer! Take it out when the cheese is brown and bubbly.