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Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta recepe

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Chicken Pesto Pasta is a quick, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich basil pesto sauce. It’s ideal for easy weeknight dinners or casual entertaining.

Ingredients

  • 12 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
  • 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream or reserved pasta water (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta in salted boiling water according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
  2. Season the chicken breasts with salt and black pepper on both sides.
  3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5–7 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and slice into strips.
  4. In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté briefly until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  5. Return the sliced chicken to the skillet and stir in the pesto until evenly coated.
  6. Add the cooked pasta and toss everything together. Add a splash of pasta water or heavy cream for a looser, creamier sauce if desired.
  7. Remove from heat and stir in grated parmesan and optional cherry tomatoes.
  8. Serve warm, garnished with extra parmesan if desired.

Notes

  • Add spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition.
  • Use grilled chicken for a smoky variation.
  • Pasta water helps bind and loosen the sauce without adding cream.
  • To keep the pesto green and fresh, avoid overheating it.
  • Reheat leftovers gently with a splash of water or milk.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://cookibly.com/easy-chicken-pesto-pasta-recepe/