Pesto Chicken Pasta

Name: Pesto Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian-American
Ingredients: 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced; 8 oz pasta, penne, fusilli, etc.; 1/2 cup basil pesto; 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated; 1 tbsp olive oil; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 tsp black pepper

Tender chicken and pasta tossed in a vibrant basil pesto sauce with cherry tomatoes and Parmesan cheese.

30 minEasyServes 4470 cal/serving

Italian-AmericanDinnerStovetopStandardLow-SodiumPork-FreeAlcohol-FreeCorn-Free

Ingredients

1 boneless, skinless chicken breast, diced
8 oz pasta, penne, fusilli, etc.
1/2 cup basil pesto
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1 tbsp olive oil
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Instructions

1

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the 8 oz penne, fusilli, etc. pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water.
2

Meanwhile, heat the 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
3

Add the diced 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast to the skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. The internal temperature should reach 165°F (74°C) for food safety.
4

Season the chicken with 1/4 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp black pepper.
5

Reduce heat to low. Add the 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet and cook for 1-2 minutes, just until they begin to soften.
6

Drain the pasta (remembering to reserve some pasta water) and add it to the skillet with the chicken and tomatoes.
7

Add the 1/2 cup basil pesto to the skillet and toss everything together until well combined. If the mixture seems dry, add a splash of the reserved pasta water to create a silky sauce.
8

Stir in most of the 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, reserving some for garnish.
9

Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.
10

Serve immediately, garnished with the remaining Parmesan cheese.

Questions

Can I make Pesto Chicken Pasta dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in this entry is 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated. Swap the cheese for a plant-based melting cheese (expect a milder flavor). The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Can I make Pesto Chicken Pasta gluten-free?

Yes. The gluten in this entry is 8 oz pasta, penne, fusilli, etc.. Swap the pasta for a gluten-free one, cooked a minute short of its package time. Everything else proceeds as written.

How long does Pesto Chicken Pasta keep?

Refrigerate leftovers within two hours and eat them within three days. Reheat gently on the stovetop.

Can I halve or double Pesto Chicken Pasta?

Yes. As written it serves 4. Every ingredient in this entry carries precomputed half and double quantities, and the app's batch dial rewrites them inside each step. When doubling on the stovetop, use your widest pan or work in two batches so the food sears instead of steaming.

Serve it with

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