Delicious twist on traditional pesto with Mexican flavors

This Mexican Pesto Chicken Pasta is a unique and tasty take on traditional pesto pasta. With a blend of cilantro, jalapenos, and lime, this dish is full of bold and fresh flavors that will have your taste buds singing. The creamy pesto sauce is tossed with tender chicken and pasta for a satisfying meal that is sure to impress.

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/4 cup roasted pepitas
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and chopped
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 8 oz pasta of your choice
• 1 lb chicken breast, sliced into strips
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup cotija cheese, crumbled
• Fresh cilantro for garnish

Directions

1. In a food processor, combine cilantro, pepitas, jalapeno, garlic, Parmesan, olive oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth to make the Mexican pesto sauce.
2. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken strips and cook until browned and cooked through.
4. Add cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for another 2-3 minutes until they start to soften.
5. Stir in the cooked pasta and Mexican pesto sauce, tossing to coat everything evenly.
6. Remove from heat and sprinkle cotija cheese on top. Garnish with fresh cilantro before serving.
7. Serve hot and enjoy the delicious fusion of Italian and Mexican flavors!

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