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Chicken Pesto Pasta

Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 4 servings
Calories 650
A quick and flavorful pasta dish combining tender chicken, fresh pesto, and al dente pasta for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 400 g pasta penne, linguine, spaghetti, fettuccine

Chicken

  • 475 g chicken breast or chicken thighs, cut into bite-size pieces

Olive Oil

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

Garlic

  • 3 cloves garlic cloves, finely chopped (optional)

Pesto

  • 0.5 cup pesto, plus more to taste

Pasta Water

  • 0.5 cup reserved pasta water, plus more as needed

Parmesan

  • 0.25 cup grated Parmesan (optional)

Black Pepper

  • Black pepper

Lemon Wedge

  • Lemon wedge (optional)

Chili Flakes

  • Chili flakes (optional)

Instructions 

  • Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
  • Brown the chicken in a large skillet until cooked through, then remove and set aside. Add garlic to the same pan for 20-30 seconds if using.
  • Add drained pasta and cooked chicken to the skillet. Turn heat low, stir in pesto, then add a splash of reserved pasta water and toss until glossy.
  • Mix in Parmesan if using, adding more pasta water if needed. Adjust with lemon juice or chili flakes to taste.

Notes

For extra flavor, add a squeeze of lemon or a pinch of chili flakes before serving.
Calories: 650kcal
Cost: $15
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Keyword: Chicken, Pasta, Pesto