Description
Delight in this creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta that captures the vibrant essence of Italy. With tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a homemade basil pesto sauce bursting with freshness, this dish is not only quick to prepare but also perfect for both weeknight dinners and special occasions. Impress your family and friends with its rich flavors and colorful presentation that’s sure to please any palate.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 pounds)
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1/3 cup pine nuts
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Chop chicken into bite-sized pieces; season with salt and pepper.
- Cook penne pasta in salted water until al dente (about 8-10 minutes), reserving 1 cup of pasta water.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat; sauté chicken until golden brown and fully cooked (about 5-7 minutes).
- Blend basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, olive oil, and lemon juice in a food processor until smooth.
- Combine drained pasta with sautéed chicken in the skillet; mix in pesto and reserved pasta water to achieve desired creaminess.
- Serve garnished with additional Parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approximately 350g)
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 26g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 85mg