Pesto Chicken Pasta
Savor the bold, vibrant flavors of our Pesto Chicken Pasta—a quick and satisfying dinner that’s perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining. Tender, golden-brown chicken breasts seasoned to perfection pair beautifully with al dente penne pasta, all enveloped in a creamy basil pesto sauce made extra indulgent with a touch of heavy cream and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. Sweet, juicy cherry tomatoes and aromatic fresh basil take this dish to the next level, adding a burst of freshness to every bite. Ready in just 40 minutes, this versatile recipe is as easy to make as it is delicious. Serve it hot and watch it disappear, with an extra sprinkle of Parmesan and chopped basil for that flawless finishing touch. Perfect for pasta lovers, this dish is bursting with flavor and weeknight-meal appeal!
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Ingredients
- 2 pieces boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 0.5 cup basil pesto
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 0.25 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
Directions
Step 1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Step 2
While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.
Step 3
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side or until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove from the skillet and let rest for 5 minutes before slicing into strips.
Step 4
In the same skillet, reduce the heat to medium and add the basil pesto and heavy cream. Stir until well combined and the sauce is heated through.
Step 5
Add the cooked pasta, sliced chicken, and grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are well coated in the pesto sauce.
Step 6
Gently fold in the cherry tomatoes and chopped fresh basil leaves.
Step 7
Serve the pesto chicken pasta hot, garnished with additional Parmesan cheese and basil if desired.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (1211.8g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 3204.1 |
| Total Fat 151.2g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 49.5g | 0% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat 2.7g | |
| Cholesterol 484.6mg | 0% |
| Sodium 4122.2mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 266.5g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 15.5g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 9.7g | |
| Protein 182.6g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 3.5IU | 0% |
| Calcium 993.2mg | 0% |
| Iron 20.5mg | 0% |
| Potassium 2638.9mg | 0% |
Source of Calories