Cilantro Jalapeno Pesto is a delicious twist on traditional pesto, served with gluten free pasta, topped with First Fresh Chicken Croquettes.
This post is part of a series of sponsored recipes created with First Fresh Foods. All opinions and recipes are my own, enjoy!
Cilantro Jalapeno Pesto
I love pasta with pesto, but my husband is allergic to basil, so I haven’t had it in years. When First Fresh Foods sent me their brand new Habanero Chicken Croquettes, I was quickly in love with their flavor and ease. They are so good and that pepper flavor is just the perfect amount of spice. When I was trying to decide what would pair best with the cheesy, spicy flavor I first thought about Huancaina Sauce. It’s a classic Peruvian Sauce made with queso blanco and aji amarillo. It’s wonderful, but I wanted a bit more freshness.
That’s when I got the idea to make a Latin spin on pesto and it worked fabulous! The Cilantro and parsley, paired with the jalapeno and queso blanco is amazing! Fresh and a bit salty. The underlying spice of the jalapeno and the garlic is just perfect. I could honestly eat it with a spoon.
Habanero Chicken Croquettes
If you have been following My Gluten Free Miami this summer, you know I have fallen in love with First Fresh Foods Chicken Sausage. It is so good, low in fat, lean protein and easy to read ingredients made in a celiac safe environment. They were the first sponsor I began to work with, just because I love the chicken sausage.
Now they are branching out into cheese stuffed chicken croquettes, and they are still gluten free! I was so excited. They are delicious. Still a great source of protein, and they are so simple. Just throw them in the oven and your good to go.
If you can’t find them in your local grocery store, you can use sliced chicken breast (or any other protein), but I strongly recommend you ask your grocer to carry First Fresh products. They are delicious.
The Recipe
The great thing about this recipe is it’s ease.
The Pesto
All you do is the throw all the ingredient in a food processor or nutri bullet. If you want it a bit spicier, leave the seeds in the jalapeno. Super simple, super yummy.
The Chicken
Obviously, I used First Fresh Chicken Croquettes. They pair so well, but if you don’t have access and your in a pinch, some sliced chicken breast would be ok….but once you try the croquettes, you will fall in love with them!
The Pasta
For this recipe I used Barilla gluten free pasta, you can use whatever is your favorite. I am also a big fan of Trader Joe’s quinoa/brown rice blend.Before draining the pasta, set aside a cup of the water to use when tossing the pasta with the pesto.
If you love pesto, but are looking for something with a twist, check out this Avocado Pesto Zucchini Noodle Salad from Food, Faith, and Fitness. It will not disappoint!
Thank you to First Fresh Foods for sponsoring this past and making such incredible Celiac Safe Chicken Croquettes!
Happy Gluten Free Eating!
Cilantro Jalapeno Pesto
Ingredients
- 1 Cup loosely packed cilantro leaves
- 1/2 Cup loosely packed parsley leaves
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 1-2 Jalapenos remove seeds if desired
- 1/2 cup crumbled queso blanco
- 1/3 cup olive oil add more if needed
- 1/2 lime juiced
- 1/4 teaspon salt.
- 12 ounces gluten free pasta
- 4 First Fresh Foods Chicken Croquettes
Instructions
- Boil pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving one cup of the pasta water.
- Cook croquettes according to package direction.
- Blend all pesto ingredients in blender. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
- Toss pesto and pasta, adding pasta water as needed to thin pesto.
- Top with crumbled queso blanco and chicken.
52 Comments
Sharon @ What The Fork Food Blog
August 16, 2016 at 11:20 pmThis sounds really good! I don’t see jalapeno listed in the ingredients though, maybe I’m blind?
Lauren
August 15, 2016 at 10:24 amLove the cilantro spin!
Megan
August 13, 2016 at 12:08 amI love easy, store-bought food you can jazz up yourself. Congrats on so many sponsored posts lately! WOOT WOOT!
Elle @ Only Taste Matters
August 10, 2016 at 10:58 amThis pesto sounds amazing! Brilliant!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:30 amThanks! It is so good!
Krysten
August 9, 2016 at 6:28 pmI am drooling looking at this recipe.
Jalapeños are one of my favorite things to cook with, this recipe is right up my ally.
Fortunately, no one in my house is allergic to basil, so pesto is a regular occurrence.
This might be now, too!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:36 amHope you love it!
Raia
August 9, 2016 at 5:37 pmI’ve never tried making my own pesto before. This sounds and looks delicious!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:36 amIt is so easy! You have to try it!
Scott Groth
August 9, 2016 at 4:35 pmThese look so delicious! What a great idea!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:36 amThanks!
val
August 9, 2016 at 10:22 amThis looks amazing – I’ve never tried a pesto without basil!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:37 amIt’s great!
Kelly @ TastingPage
August 8, 2016 at 9:19 pmI want that pesto on everything. Looks great!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:38 amI’m sure it would be good on anything!
Lane & Holly @ With Two Spoons
August 8, 2016 at 4:58 pmCilantro and jalapeno…I’m in love!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:38 amIt’s the perfect combo!
Stephanie Cox
August 8, 2016 at 4:43 pmMy husband loves cilantro and I’m also on the lookout for new ones to use it in recipes! You just gave me our next cilantro infused meal!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:38 amEnjoy!
Elise @TheFrugalFarmWife.com
August 8, 2016 at 3:29 pmOh yum! Chicken, pasta, and pesto is always a winner in my book!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:39 amIt’s a great combo!
Chrystal @ Gluten-Free Palate
August 8, 2016 at 3:15 pmOoh! I didn’t know they made Croquettes! And I love that you made a basil-less pesto!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:39 amThey are brand new and so good!
Nutrimom
August 8, 2016 at 2:15 pmOh my gosh- what a great combo!! Thanks for sharing~
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:39 amAnytime!
Jenni Laplow
August 8, 2016 at 12:21 pmI love jalapeno in my dinner dishes! I will definitely be trying this out, I pinned myself a reminder 🙂
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:40 amGreat! Enjoy!
Gluten Free With Emily
August 8, 2016 at 11:56 amI also make pesto out of other herbs besides basil- parsley, cilantro and parsley pestos are delicious!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:40 amI’ve had to learn to as well, fresh basil is not an option at my house!
lisa | Garlic + Zest
August 8, 2016 at 11:34 amThat’s a terrific idea for an outside-the-box pesto! Brilliant and it sounds delicious!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:40 amThanks!
Sarah
August 8, 2016 at 11:04 amI use pesto all of the time but I bet your rendition with the kick of jalapeño and refreshing cilantro is absolutely wonderful! Can’t wait to try this!!!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:35 amIt’s so yummy, I take out the seeds so it isn’t to spicy for the baby, but if you like spice leave them in!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:41 amIt’s fabulous!
The Golden Girl Diary
August 8, 2016 at 10:20 amMy boyfriend loves cilantro and jalapeños..I love pasta and jalapeños..so obviously we have to try this recipe! This looks amazing!
xo, Amanda | http://www.thegoldengirldiary.com
Annemarie @ justalittlebitofbacon
August 8, 2016 at 10:11 amThat’s a nice way to use the chicken croquettes! It looks like a great, family friendly meal which would be perfect for weeknight.
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:42 amThanks!
Elizabeth
August 8, 2016 at 9:53 amMmm intriguing! I am loving the flavours you’ve used for this. I bet there’s quick a nice kick to it!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:42 amI took out the seeds so it wasn’t to spicy, but you could leave them in for more of a kick!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy
August 8, 2016 at 9:24 amWhat a fantastic twist on pesto. I am going to have to try this at the weekend.
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:42 amTake a pic and tag me!
Amber
August 8, 2016 at 9:23 amSounds yummy. Love pesto and love spicy.
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:43 amIt’s great!
Luci
August 8, 2016 at 9:16 amOh man i LOVE coriander, I add it to seriously nearly every dinner at the moment (I’m about one bowl of oatmeal away from adding it to my breakfast as well!). Do you think I could try extra firm tofu instead of chicken though?
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:43 amOf course! Top it with whatever you like 🙂
Lauren
August 8, 2016 at 9:15 amThis sounds amazing! I love spicy food so I’d leave all the seeds in lol!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:44 amGo for it!
Jacki
August 8, 2016 at 8:54 amThese look amazing! I LOVE fresh basil and pesto!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine
August 8, 2016 at 8:11 amWonderful idea and a great way to use all our fresh summer herbs!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:45 amThanks!
Cricket Plunkett
August 8, 2016 at 8:09 amLove Love Love this idea! Such a quick dinner, adding jalapeno, brilliant!
Amanda
August 10, 2016 at 11:45 amThanks!