Description
Creamy pesto chicken pasta brings Italian countryside comfort straight to dinner tables. Fragrant basil, tender chicken, and al dente noodles combine in a simple yet elegant meal you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
Pasta and Base:
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
- ½ cup (120g) basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- ¼ cup (60ml) pasta water (reserved)
Seasonings and Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- ½ cup (50g) grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup (150g) cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- ¼ cup (30g) toasted pine nuts (optional, for crunch)
- Fresh basil leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare a generously salted boiling water bath for the pasta, submerging the noodles and cooking until they reach a perfect al dente texture. Extract a modest portion of starchy liquid before draining the pasta completely.
- Simultaneously, warm olive oil in a spacious skillet over moderate heat. Introduce diced chicken pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper, and sauté until achieving a golden-brown exterior and thorough internal cooking.
- Incorporate aromatic minced garlic and optional red pepper flakes into the chicken, allowing them to release their vibrant essence for a brief moment.
- Reduce the skillet’s temperature and gently fold the cooked pasta into the chicken mixture. Lavishly coat the ingredients with rich basil pesto, utilizing the reserved pasta water to create a silky, harmonious sauce.
- Sprinkle grated Parmesan cheese and halved cherry tomatoes into the skillet, stirring to ensure comprehensive integration of flavors and textures.
- Present the dish adorned with fresh basil leaves, an additional dusting of Parmesan, and optional toasted pine nuts for a delightful crunch and visual appeal.
Notes
- Choose short pasta shapes like penne or rotini to help pesto cling better and create more delicious bites.
- Toast pine nuts quickly in a dry skillet to enhance their nutty flavor and add extra crunch to the dish.
- Use high-quality store-bought or homemade pesto for the most authentic and vibrant taste profile.
- Swap chicken with tofu or white beans for a vegetarian version that maintains the recipe’s creamy, herbal essence.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 570
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 550mg
- Fat: 24g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg