Chicken Thigh and Pesto Pasta Dinner

Meanwhile, heat a large drizzle of olive oil in a large pan over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until no longer pink in center, 4-5 minutes per side. (TIP: Work in batches if you can’t fit all the chicken comfortably.) Remove from pan and set aside to rest. Cut chicken into 1-inch pieces once cool enough to handle.

Heat another drizzle of olive oil in same pan over medium heat. Add diced tomato. Cook, tossing, until slightly softened, 1-2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add cavatappi, 1 TBSP butter, and ¾ of the pesto and toss to combine. Stir in lemon zest and half the Parmesan. Season with salt and pepper.

Stir half the chicken into pan with pasta. Remove from heat and stir in a squeeze or two of lemon. (TIP: If mixture seems dry, add a bit of pasta cooking water.) Let pasta cool slightly, then stir in ⅔ of the arugula. Divide between plates, sprinkle with remaining Parmesan, and serve.

FOR LUNCH: After dinner, toss together sour cream, a squeeze of lemon, and remaining chicken and pesto in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and set aside in the fridge. When ready to pack your lunch, slice remaining tomato into thin rounds. Cut baguettes in half lengthwise. Divide chicken, tomato, baguettes, and remaining arugula and lemon between lunchboxes.