Ingredients
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Essence, recipe follows
- 1 bunch fresh arugula, tough stems removed, washed and spun dry, plus baby arugula, for garnish
- 1/2 cup packed fresh parsley leaves
- 1/2 cup lightly toasted walnuts
- 2 teaspoons minced garlic
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil
- 1 pound penne pasta
- 1 pint red grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 pint yellow grape tomatoes, halved
- 1 1/4 cups crumbled feta
- 1/2 cup roughly chopped pitted olive-cured olives
Directions
Preheat a grill. Drizzle the chicken with oil and season with salt, pepper, and essence. Place on the grill and cook until cooked through, about 4 minutes on the first side, and 5 minutes on the second side. Remove the chicken from the grill and cut into cubes.
In a food processor, combine the arugula, parsley, walnuts, garlic, cheese, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, and process on high speed until the greens are finely chopped. With the machine running, add the extra-virgin olive oil and 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a steady stream and process until smooth.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente. Drain the pasta and shock in an ice bath and place in a bowl. Toss with some olive oil so it doesn't stick.
Toss the pasta with the arugula pesto, to taste. Let cool, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate until well chilled. Toss the cubed chicken, red and yellow tomatoes, feta, and olives to the pasta, and toss to combine. Adjust the seasoning, to taste, and serve, garnished with baby arugula.
Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning):
- 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 tablespoons garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
Yield: about 2/3 cup
Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.
















Review This Recipe
You must be signed in to review this recipe.
or Register to Review
Newest Ratings and Reviews
Read all 16 reviews
By taylordebj_7697294
VALRICO, FL
on April 13, 2012
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
I needed to serve a crowd so I doubled the recipe. I used two purchased herb-roasted rotisserie chickens instead of the grilled chicken breasts. Major hit at the party! A delicious dish.
By cestarks
on September 06, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
This dish was a hit at my Labor Day cookout. Very filling and delicious even without the added seasonings.
By svb_1_1398015
Lawrenceville, GA
on April 18, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
Amazing!!!!! I did everything as stated except olives, as my kids don't like them, and it was one of the best ever! My girls want to take the leftovers to school for lunch tomorrow. Big hit!!!
Read all 16 reviews