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Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe | Quick Weeknight Dinner Idea

Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe

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  • Author: julia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 30 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Sautéing
  • Cuisine: Italian-American

Description

A fast and flavorful dinner combining seared chicken breast with a rich basil pesto and al dente pasta. A balanced meal that brings restaurant-quality taste to your home kitchen.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb chicken breast, cubed
  • 1 lb penne or fusilli pasta
  • 3/4 cup basil pesto
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • Salt and black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Instructions

  1. Season chicken cubes with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; sear chicken until golden and cooked through, then remove to a plate.
  3. Boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta until just under al dente.
  4. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta.
  5. Return pasta to the skillet with the chicken drippings, adding the pesto and reserved pasta water.
  6. Stir until the sauce is creamy and clings to the pasta.
  7. Fold the cooked chicken and parmesan cheese back into the pan and serve immediately.