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30-Minute Pesto Chicken Pasta

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30-Minute Pesto Chicken Pasta is a vibrant and delicious dish that transforms busy weeknights into an Italian culinary experience. Tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a creamy basil pesto sauce come together in just half an hour. This meal is not only quick to prepare but also customizable, allowing you to tailor it to your family’s tastes or make it suitable for entertaining guests.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3–4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb)
  • 8 oz penne or fusilli pasta
  • 1 cup fresh basil pesto
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  1. 1. Cook the Pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup of pasta water.
  2. 2. Sauté the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, cooking for about 6 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove and slice into bite-sized pieces.
  3. 3. Add Flavor: In the same skillet, sauté cherry tomatoes and minced garlic for about 2 minutes until fragrant.
  4. 4. Create the Sauce: Pour in heavy cream, scraping up any bits from the skillet. Stir in basil pesto until well combined.
  5. 5. Combine Everything: Return sliced chicken to the skillet with cooked pasta. Toss gently, adding reserved pasta water as needed for desired consistency.
  6. 6. Serve It Up: Plate immediately, garnishing with Parmesan cheese and fresh basil if desired.

Nutrition

Keywords: For added nutrition, consider incorporating vegetables like spinach or zucchini. You can also swap chicken for shrimp or tofu as a protein alternative.

Find it online: https://flavorinside.com/irresistible-30-minute-pesto-chicken-pasta-recipe/