Description
This chicken pesto pasta combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a fresh basil pesto sauce. It delivers bold flavor in a quick, satisfying meal perfect for busy nights.
Ingredients
8 oz pasta
2 chicken breasts, diced
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/3 cup pine nuts
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
1. Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente, then drain and reserve some pasta water.
2. Blend basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, and garlic in a food processor.
3. Slowly add olive oil while blending until smooth pesto forms.
4. Season pesto with salt and pepper.
5. Heat oil in a skillet and cook diced chicken for 6–8 minutes until fully cooked.
6. Add cooked pasta to the skillet with chicken.
7. Pour pesto over pasta and toss to combine.
8. Add reserved pasta water gradually to loosen the sauce if needed.
9. Serve warm with extra Parmesan and basil.
Notes
Use fresh basil for best flavor.
Do not overcook pasta to maintain texture.
Add vegetables like spinach or tomatoes for variation.
Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Add cream or yogurt for a richer sauce if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg