Description
Juicy, golden chicken tossed with herby pesto and tender pasta—fast, fresh, and irresistibly Italian-inspired.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 Chicken breasts
- 1/2 cup Basil pesto
- 8 oz Pasta (penne or rigatoni)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Reserved pasta water, as needed
- Fresh basil, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta in well-salted water until al dente; reserve ½ cup pasta water and drain.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper; sear in olive oil until golden and cooked through. Slice.
- In the same pan, sauté garlic briefly until fragrant.
- Add cooked pasta and basil pesto, tossing to coat evenly.
- Splash in reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed.
- Add sliced chicken and toss gently until warmed through.
- Finish with grated Parmesan and fresh basil; serve immediately.
Notes
- For a creamier sauce, add a splash of heavy cream.
- Feel free to add vegetables like cherry tomatoes or spinach for extra nutrition.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 80mg