Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe
This easy chicken pesto pasta recipe is a quick and delicious meal featuring tender chicken, fresh pesto, and perfectly cooked pasta. Perfect for weeknight dinners!
Equipment
- Large pot
- Skillet or sauté pan
- Wooden spoon
- Colander
- Tongs
Ingredients
- 8 ounces pasta penne, fettuccine, or linguine
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic minced
- ½ cup prepared pesto homemade or store-bought
- ¼ cup heavy cream or half-and-half optional, for a creamier sauce
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside, reserving ½ cup of the pasta cooking water.
- Cook the Chicken
- While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5-7 minutes until it’s cooked through and golden. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
- Make the Sauce
- In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Add the pesto and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Simmer for 1-2 minutes to warm through.
- Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce
- Add the cooked pasta and chicken back into the skillet with the pesto sauce. Toss everything together until evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
- Add Parmesan and Serve
- Sprinkle the Parmesan cheese over the pasta and toss again. Serve warm, garnished with fresh basil or parsley if desired.