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Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe

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3.9 from 4 reviews

This Chicken Pesto Pasta is a quick and flavorful dish perfect for weeknight dinners. Tender pieces of seasoned chicken are cooked to golden perfection and combined with al dente penne pasta, creamy sauce made with heavy cream and parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, and vibrant basil pesto. Finished with a touch of red pepper flakes and fresh basil leaves, this recipe offers a delightful balance of creamy, savory, and herbaceous flavors in just 20 minutes.

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Kosher salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Pasta and Sauce

  • 8 ounces penne pasta, preferably with ridges
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, plus more for serving if desired
  • 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes, drained if packed in oil
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto (homemade or quality store-bought), plus more if desired
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Handful of torn basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken: Place the chicken pieces into a bowl and season with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss the chicken until well coated evenly with the seasonings.
  2. Cook the pasta: Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and add about 1 tablespoon of salt to the water. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente, approximately 8 to 9 minutes.
  3. Cook the chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook, tossing occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 7 to 8 minutes.
  4. Drain the pasta: Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1 cup of pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta thoroughly.
  5. Combine ingredients: Lower the heat under the skillet with the cooked chicken. Add the cooked pasta, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and sun dried tomatoes to the pan. Stir everything together well to combine. If the sauce appears dry, add reserved pasta water a couple tablespoons at a time until the pasta has a glossy, creamy coating.
  6. Add the pesto and finish: Remove the pan from heat and stir in the basil pesto. Garnish with additional grated parmesan, red pepper flakes to taste, and torn basil leaves. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Reserve pasta water when draining pasta to adjust sauce consistency.
  • Use good quality pesto or homemade pesto for best flavor.
  • Adjust red pepper flakes according to your preferred spice level.
  • Sun dried tomatoes packed in oil add extra flavor; drain before using to avoid excess oiliness.
  • Serve with extra parmesan cheese for added richness.

Find it online: https://recipeplenty.com/chicken-pesto-pasta-recipe/