POACHED CHICKEN BREASTS WITH ARUGULA PESTO SAUCE

Poached Chicken Breasts with Arugula Pesto Sauce image

Yield Serves 6

Number Of Ingredients 11

For arugula pesto sauce
3 cups packed arugula (about 3/4 pound), washed well and spun dry
1/3 cup pine nuts, toasted golden and cooled
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 large garlic clove, chopped
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/4 cup hot water plus additional if desired
3 cups chicken broth
2 cups water
3 whole boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 1/4 pounds), halved

Steps:

Make arugula pesto sauce:
In a food processor pulse together all sauce ingredients except oil and water until arugula is chopped fine. With motor running add oil in a stream, blending mixture until smooth. Sauce may be made up to this point 1 week ahead and chilled, its surface covered with plastic wrap. Bring sauce to room temperature to continue. Stir in 1/4 cup hot water plus additional for thinner consistency if desired.
In a 6-quart saucepan bring broth and water to a boil. Add chicken and simmer, covered, 9 minutes. Remove pan from heat and let chicken stand in cooking liquid, covered, until cooked through, about 20 minutes. Chicken may be poached 1 day ahead, cooled completely, uncovered, in cooking liquid, and chilled, covered. Bring chicken to room temperature to continue. Drain chicken and slice 1/4 inch thick. Serve chicken with sauce.