| Level: | Easy |
| Total: | 25 min |
| Active: | 25 min |
| Yield: | 4 servings |
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup olive oil, plus more to coat the skillet
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 1 pound angel hair pasta
- 1 large bunch fresh basil leaves (about 3 ounces)
- 1/2 cup walnuts
- 2 ripe avocados, pitted and peeled
- 1 1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic
Instructions
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add enough olive oil to coat the skillet. Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Cook until golden brown on one side, 8 to10 minutes; flip and cook until cooked through and no longer pink, about 5 minutes more. Transfer to a cutting board and slice into strips.
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to the package directions.
- Meanwhile, in a food processor, blend together the basil, walnuts, avocados, lemon juice, garlic and olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste.
- Drain the pasta into a colander. Transfer it to a large serving platter or bowl and toss with the pesto. Top with the sliced chicken. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 4 servings |
| Calories | 1140 |
| Total Fat | 47 g |
| Saturated Fat | 7 g |
| Carbohydrates | 98 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 12 g |
| Sugar | 4 g |
| Protein | 81 g |
| Cholesterol | 199 mg |
| Sodium | 1270 mg |
Reviews
Very easy and flavorful. I would prefer to use a heartier pasta like linguini or fettuccini. Any protein will do and I grilled the chicken. Had lots of pesto leftover so I am trying to freeze it. Even works for the vegan in my house!
I had such high hopes; but it was NOT GREAT. Super thick pesto. I added water to make it blend and it is still seemed too thick. It tasted fine. I topped my portion with a fresh chopped tomato and corn cut from the cob – because I don’t like meat. The veggies were the best part. Since dinner I’ve been pondering what to do to the leftovers to transform them into something that I will eat. As another reviewer mentioned, the angel hair pasta is way to delicate for this pesto. A harty pasta would have been so much better.
Just okay, angel hair is a bit too delicate for an avocado pesto and the chicken just seems like an afterthought as though it is a separate dish. pesto flavor was bright and good
After watching today’s show I had to make this dish. While I thought I had all ingredients – sadly my fresh basil was missing, but not to worry, cilantro to the rescue! This avocado pesto (with the cilantro substitution) was amazing! Looking forward to trying again this time with basil.
This was an epic fail. Most of Trisha’s dishes are great, but this was possibly the worst dish I’ve eaten in years. Sorry, just being honest.
Loved it, super simple. Nice easy meal to make when you have to work late.
I really want to make this recipe but my daughter is allergic to peanuts & tree nuts. Does anyone know of a substitute for the walnuts? Thanks!
Fabulous and my husband loved it!
So yummy. Great twist on pesto.
Excellent!