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Pesto Chicken Pasta

Pesto Chicken Pasta

A quick and flavorful pasta dish with juicy chicken, herby pesto, and Parmesan — perfect for busy weeknights.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Inspired, Italian
Calories: 480
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 oz pasta penne or fusilli
  • 1 lb chicken breast or thighs cubed
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 3 garlic cloves minced
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt & pepper to taste
  • 1/2 cup reserved pasta water

Method
 

  1. ook pasta until al dente; reserve pasta water.
    Penne pasta boiling in salted water for pesto chicken pasta recipe
  2. Heat olive oil in skillet, cook chicken until golden.
    Cubed chicken cooking in skillet for pesto chicken pasta
  3. Add garlic and sauté briefly.
    Garlic and cherry tomatoes cooking with chicken for pesto pasta
  4. Add pasta, pesto, and reserved pasta water. Stir well.
  5. Finish with Parmesan and serve warm.
    Finished pesto chicken pasta with Parmesan and basil garnish

Notes

Use rotisserie chicken or shrimp for easy swaps. Add spinach or tomatoes for freshness.