Description
Chicken Pesto Pasta is a delicious and quick Italian meal made with pasta, grilled chicken, and creamy pesto sauce. A perfect blend of flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz (225 g) of pasta (spaghetti, penne, or fusilli)
- 2 cups of cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1 cup of fresh basil leaves
- 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/3 cup of pine nuts (or walnuts)
- 2–3 cloves of garlic
- 1/2 cup of olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: Cherry tomatoes for garnish
- Optional: Extra Parmesan for serving
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8-10 minutes. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
- In a food processor, combine fresh basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Pulse until finely chopped. Slowly drizzle in olive oil while processing to form a smooth pesto. Season with salt and pepper.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook in a skillet with olive oil over medium heat for 5-7 minutes on each side, or until golden-brown and cooked through. If using leftover chicken, heat it in the skillet for a few minutes.
- In the pot with the cooked pasta, add shredded chicken and pesto. Toss to coat the pasta. If needed, add reserved pasta water to adjust the sauce’s consistency. Heat through for 2-3 minutes over low heat.
Notes
- For a dairy-free version, use nutritional yeast instead of Parmesan cheese.
- Substitute pine nuts with walnuts or sunflower seeds if needed.
- For a lighter option, use zucchini noodles instead of traditional pasta.
- Consider adding vegetables like spinach or bell peppers for extra flavor and nutrition.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 5g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: Chicken Pesto Pasta, pesto chicken pasta, creamy pesto pasta, chicken pasta recipe, Italian pesto pasta