The number one mistake Americans make when using pesto is using too much. We see the little jar on the shelf and think “It’s so small! I should probably use the whole thing…” But please resist the urge! Your food will thank you for it.
Follow this recipe for Chicken Pesto Orecchiette and you’ll see what I mean. The Pesto Genovese contributes subtle flavors of herbs and cheese, but it doesn’t overpower the other ingredients. Even if it feels like too little, trust me – just 1/2 cup is plenty to dress 1 pound of pasta. You want to actually taste all the fresh asparagus, rustic pasta, and garlicky chicken. Every ingredient has a role to play in the final dish.
Orecchiette means “little ears” in Italian, and it’s not hard to see why. Part of the joy of crafting pasta dishes comes from making pleasing combinations of pasta shapes and toppings. By chopping everything to roughly the same size as these thumbprint-shaped noodles, you’ll find that they will cradle your sauce and every bite will be perfect!