Pesto Chicken Pasta

A delightful and creamy pesto chicken pasta dish that combines tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich homemade basil pesto for a satisfying meal.

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Course: Main Course, Pasta

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: chicken, easy dinner, pasta, Pesto

Prep Time: 15

Cook Time: 20

Total Time: 35

Servings: servings

Calories: 600kcal

Ingredients

For the Pesto

2 cups Fresh Basil Leaves Packed tightly
1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese Grated
1/3 cup Pine Nuts Lightly toasted
2 cloves Garlic Minced
1/2 cup Olive Oil Extra virgin
1/4 teaspoon Salt Adjust to taste
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper Freshly ground

For the Chicken

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts Chicken Breast Cut into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon Olive Oil For cooking
1/2 teaspoon Salt Adjust to taste
1/2 teaspoon Black Pepper Freshly ground

For the Pasta

12 ounces Pasta Fusilli or penne recommended
1 tablespoon Salt For pasta water

For Serving

1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese Grated, for garnish
1/4 cup Pine Nuts Toasted, for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the Pesto

In a blender or food processor, combine the fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, toasted pine nuts, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper.
With the blender running, slowly drizzle in the olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stop to scrape down the sides as needed.
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Set the pesto aside.

Cook the Chicken

In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat.
Season the chicken pieces with salt and black pepper. Add the chicken to the skillet and cook for about 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and no longer pink in the center.
Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.

Cook the Pasta

In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente.
Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta in a colander.

Combine and Serve

In the same skillet used for the chicken, add the drained pasta and cooked chicken.
Add the prepared pesto and toss everything together. If the mixture seems dry, add reserved pasta water a little at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Serve immediately, garnished with additional grated Parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts.

Notes

For a creamier texture, you can add a splash of heavy cream to the pasta after adding the pesto. This dish can be served warm or at room temperature, making it versatile for any occasion.

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