Chicken Pasta Disneyland Picnic

This dish is made using fusilli pasta and normally I think of this pasta for salads but here it is as the main dish past with chicken. This particular dish can be found at Disneyland. Here is a recipe to make this yummy picnic dish.

For the Chicken:

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• $1/2$ teaspoon Italian seasoning
• $1/4$ teaspoon garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper to taste

For the Pasta and Sauce:

• 1 pound fusilli pasta
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• $1/2$ cup heavy cream
• $1/4$ cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
• $1/2$ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for garnish
• $1/4$ cup sun-dried tomatoes, packed in oil, drained and chopped
• $1/4$ cup pasta water (reserved)

For Garnish:

• Fresh basil or parsley, chopped

1. Prepare the Chicken:

• Slice the chicken breasts horizontally to create four thinner cutlets, or cut them into 1-inch cubes.
• In a bowl, toss the chicken with olive oil, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and grill or sauté for 5-7 minutes per side (or until cubes are cooked through) until no longer pink inside and nicely browned. Remove the chicken and set it aside.

2. Cook the Pasta:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the fusilli pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente.
• Before draining, reserve about 1 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the remaining water and set the pasta aside.

3. Make the Parmesan-Pesto Cream Sauce:

• Use the same skillet (wipe it clean if needed). Melt the butter over medium heat.
• Add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
• Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low.
• Stir in the pesto and the $1/2$ cup of grated Parmesan cheese. Stir continuously until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
• If the sauce is too thick, add the reserved pasta water, 1 tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust with salt and pepper as needed.

4. Combine and Serve:

• Add the cooked fusilli pasta, the chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and the cooked chicken (cut into slices or cubes) to the sauce in the skillet.
• Toss gently to coat everything thoroughly. Cook for 1-2 minutes until heated through.
• Serve immediately, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh chopped basil or parsley.

Super Yummy Disney Picnic!