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Chicken Pesto Pasta

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🍝 Enjoy a creamy and flavorful Chicken Pesto Pasta that combines fresh ingredients and easy preparation for a wholesome meal.
🌿 This recipe blends tender chicken, rich pesto, and tangy sun-dried tomatoes for a satisfying dish that’s ready in just 20 minutes.

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

– 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces

– 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

– Kosher salt (to taste)

– Black pepper (to taste)

– 8 ounces penne pasta, preferably with ridges

– 2 tablespoons 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 preferred

– 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes

– Handful of torn basil leaves for garnish

Instructions

1-Season the chicken pieces in a bowl with the Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss to coat evenly.

2-Bring a medium pot of salted water (about 1 tablespoon salt) to a boil. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, approximately 8 to 9 minutes.

3-While the pasta cooks, heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 7 to 8 minutes.

4-Before draining the pasta, reserve 1 cup of the pasta cooking water. Drain the pasta.

5-Reduce the skillet heat to low. Add the drained pasta, cooked chicken, heavy cream, 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, and the drained sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet. Stir vigorously until well combined. If the sauce appears dry, add the reserved pasta water a little at a time, stirring until the sauce is glossy and creamy.

6-Turn off the heat. Stir in the 1/2 cup basil pesto until incorporated.

7-Sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes, and the torn basil leaves. Serve immediately.

Last Step:

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Notes

🍲 Stir vigorously when combining pasta with sauce to release starch for a thicker texture.
πŸ«’ Use quality extra virgin olive oil and freshly grated parmesan for best flavor.
πŸ… Sun-dried tomatoes add tanginess; substitute with halved cherry tomatoes if needed.

  • Author: Brandi Oshea
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Main Course, Dinner
  • Method: SautΓ©ing and Boiling
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 445
  • Sodium: 363mg
  • Fat: 23.3g
  • Saturated Fat: 7.8g
  • Carbohydrates: 33.4g
  • Fiber: 2.3g
  • Protein: 24.7g