Pro Tips

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**

- Cook pasta in generously salted boiling water — it should taste seasoned on its own.

- Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to loosen the sauce if needed.

- For crispy chicken, avoid flipping too often — let each side cook undisturbed to develop a crust.

- Cook chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part of the breast.

Cooking Tips

For maximum flavor, season the chicken at least 30 minutes before cooking — ideally overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the marinade to penetrate beyond the surface. Use a meat thermometer to check doneness: 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the breast, away from the bone.

Ingredient Substitutions

Chicken alternatives: Pork shoulder or boneless thigh meat can substitute for chicken in stews. For lighter fare, extra-firm tofu or seitan works in stir-fries and braises. Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious. Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.

Chicken Pesto Pasta

Chicken Pesto Pasta

Metro Manila, International

Made with uncooked penne pasta, boneless chicken breasts, basil pesto and chopped sun dried tomato — a hearty Filipino dish that's simple to cook and satisfying to share.

Prep: 10 min Cook: 30 min Total: 40 min Medium Serves 9

Instructions

  1. Cook the penne pasta according to package instructions. Set aside
  2. Flatten the chicken breast by gently pounding using a meat tenderizer. Rub salt and pepper on the chicken breast. Let it stay for 10 minutes.
  3. Grill each side of the chicken breasts for 5 to 7 minutes. Let the meat rest for 5 to 8 minutes and then slice into thick strips.
  4. Combine the cooked pasta, sliced chicken breast, pesto, sun-dried tomato, and Parmesan cheese in a large mixing bowl. Toss until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
  5. Transfer to individual plates.
  6. Serve with garlic bread.

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Pro Tips & Troubleshooting

**Chef's Tips & Troubleshooting:**
- Cook pasta in generously salted boiling water — it should taste seasoned on its own.
- Reserve a cup of pasta water before draining to loosen the sauce if needed.
- For crispy chicken, avoid flipping too often — let each side cook undisturbed to develop a crust.
- Cook chicken until the internal temperature reaches 165°F at the thickest part of the breast.

Cooking Tips

For maximum flavor, season the chicken at least 30 minutes before cooking — ideally overnight in the refrigerator. This allows the marinade to penetrate beyond the surface.
Use a meat thermometer to check doneness: 165°F (74°C) at the thickest part of the breast, away from the bone.

Substitutions

Chicken alternatives: Pork shoulder or boneless thigh meat can substitute for chicken in stews. For lighter fare, extra-firm tofu or seitan works in stir-fries and braises.
Short on time? A pressure cooker (Instant Pot) can reduce cooking time by roughly half for most braised and stewed Filipino dishes. Reduce liquid slightly since less evaporates.

Storage & Reheating

Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 days. The flavors often deepen overnight, making leftovers even more delicious.
Reheat on the stovetop over medium-low heat, adding a splash of water or broth if the sauce has thickened during storage. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each.
J

Chef Jun Reyes

Modern Regional

Culinary graduate focusing on modernizing regional Filipino flavors while keeping their soul intact.

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