Red Pesto Free-range Chicken with Herby Mash

Red Pesto Free-range Chicken with Herby Mash

This comforting stew is packed with Mediterranean flavours. Think tender free-range British chicken thighs, simmering a decadent sauce, infused with fragrant garlic, sweet tomato paste and vibrant red pesto. Dish it up alongside creamy mash and wilted cavolo nero, for a pop of green.

High protein 1/3 daily fibre 5 plants Low sat fat

Serving size

Cook time: 35 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Food group: Poultry

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Cooking Instructions

The protein cooking time listed in this recipe has been updated.

As of December 2025, we’ve revised cooking times for all our proteins to reflect improved food safety guidance.

Check out the latest recommended times in our Cooking Guidelines.

Before you start

  • Bring a medium saucepan filled with salted water to a boil
  • Pull out a large frying pan, a peeler, a sieve, a masher & a measuring jug

Make the mash

  • Peel and dice the potatoes into 3cm chunks, then add to the saucepan. Simmer for 15-18 mins, until soft, then drain
  • Return to the pan and mash with 1 tbsp oil, the garlic herb paste and a pinch of salt and pepper

Do the prep

  • Meanwhile, halve the carrot lengthways, then cut into 1/2cm thick half-moon slices (peel optional). Thinly slice the shallot. Finely chop or crush the garlic. Pick any woody stalks from the cavolo nero
  • Heat the large frying pan with 1/2 tsp oil on medium-high heat. Once hot, add the cavolo nero and cook for 2 mins, until golden. Season with salt and pepper
  • Add half the garlic and cook for another 30 secs, then add 2 tbsp water (1 tbsp for 1 person) and steam for 2-3 mins, until soft. Remove from the pan and set aside

Simmer the stew

  • Reheat the pan with 1 tsp oil on medium-high heat. Once hot, lay the chicken thighs flat into the pan and add the carrot. Season with salt and pepper
  • Cook for 4 mins, then flip the chicken and add the shallot. Cook for another 4 mins
  • Stir in the tomato puree and remaining garlic. Cook for 1 min, then add the stock powder, red pesto and 250ml water (125ml for 1 person). Bring to the boil and simmer for 13 mins, until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce has thickened. Add a splash of water if it gets a little dry

Plate up

  • Check your chicken is cooked through by inserting a skewer into the thickest part of the meat; the juices should run clear
  • Share the chicken stew between bowls, with the mash and cavolo nero alongside. Spoon over the remaining sauce from the pan

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