Description
Pesto Chicken Pasta is a quick and flavorful dinner featuring tender diced chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a vibrant basil pesto sauce combined with creamy parmesan cheese. Ready in under 30 minutes, this dish is a perfect choice for busy weeknights or casual entertaining, offering a delicious Italian-American meal that’s both satisfying and easy to prepare.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 oz pasta (penne, rotini, or bowtie)
- Salt, for pasta water
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ tsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Sauce
- ¾ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half (optional)
- ½ cup grated parmesan cheese
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of the pasta water and then drain the pasta.
- Season chicken: In a bowl, season the diced chicken breasts with 1 tsp salt, ½ tsp black pepper, and ½ tsp garlic powder, ensuring even coating.
- Cook chicken: Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5–6 minutes until the pieces turn golden and are cooked through.
- Add pesto sauce: Reduce heat to medium, then stir in ¾ cup basil pesto. If using, pour in ½ cup heavy cream or half-and-half and let the sauce simmer gently for 2–3 minutes to meld the flavors and slightly thicken.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together. Use the reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce and ensure the pasta is evenly coated.
- Finish with cheese and tomatoes: Stir in ½ cup grated parmesan cheese and ½ cup halved cherry tomatoes (if using). Mix well to incorporate and heat through.
- Serve: Plate the pesto chicken pasta warm, optionally garnished with extra parmesan cheese for an added touch of flavor.
Notes
- Cream is optional but adds a richer, creamier texture to the sauce.
- Feel free to add spinach or broccoli to increase the vegetable content and nutrition.
- Using grilled chicken instead of pan-cooked adds a smoky depth of flavor.
- Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated gently.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
