Pesto Chicken Pasta
Pesto Chicken Pasta is a vibrant, flavorful dish that combines tender chicken, fresh basil pesto, and perfectly cooked pasta for a delightful meal. This easy-to-make recipe is perfect for weeknight dinners or entertaining guests, creating lasting memories around the table. With its beautiful colors and rich flavors, you’ll find it hard to resist going back for seconds!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 4
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approx. 400g)
- 300g pasta (penne recommended)
- 1 cup fresh basil pesto
- 200g cherry tomatoes, halved
- 50g freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Gather all ingredients to streamline the cooking process.
- Cook pasta in salted boiling water until al dente as per package instructions; drain and reserve some pasta water.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden brown (6-8 minutes). Remove from skillet.
- Lower heat and add pesto to the skillet for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Return cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, and chicken to the skillet; mix gently until well combined. Add reserved pasta water if needed.
- Serve warm topped with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (300g)
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 540mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 38g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: For added flavor, consider incorporating sun-dried tomatoes or swapping chicken for shrimp. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days.