easy chicken pesto pasta recipe
Whip up creamy chicken pesto pasta in 20 minutes! This easy, flavorful recipe is perfect for busy weeknights. Restaurant-quality taste at home!
Ingredients
The Essentials
- 8 oz 225g pasta – penne, fusilli, or spaghetti work best
- 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), diced into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves packed ( the star of the show!)
- ¼ cup pine nuts – or substitute walnuts for budget-friendly creaminess
- ½ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus more for garnish, if desired
- 2 garlic cloves peeled
- ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil – use the good stuff here!
- Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
Flavor Boosters (Optional but Awesome)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes halved – for bursts of freshness
- Pinch of red pepper flakes – if you like a subtle kick
- 1 tbsp lemon juice – brightens up the rich flavors
Why These Ingredients Work
- Fresh basil > dried: It makes the pesto vibrantly green and aromatic.
- Grate your own Parmesan – pre-shredded won’t melt as smoothly.
- Chicken thighs can sub for breasts if you prefer richer juicier meat.
Instructions
Prep Like a Pro (5 mins)
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for pasta (use about 1 tbsp salt)
- Dice chicken into even 1-inch pieces for uniform cooking
- Measure out all pesto ingredients (basil, pine nuts, garlic, etc.)
Cook the Pasta (9 mins)
- Add pasta to boiling water and cook 1 minute less than package says (al dente!)
- Reserve ½ cup pasta water before draining - this helps emulsify the sauce
- Drain pasta but don't rinse (we want that starch!)
Sauté the Chicken (6 mins)
- Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in large skillet over medium-high
- Season chicken with salt & pepper
- Cook until golden brown (about 3 mins per side)
- Remove from pan and set aside
Make the Pesto (3 mins)
- In food processor, pulse:
- Basil leaves
- Pine nuts
- Garlic
- Parmesan
- Gradually stream in the olive oil while blending
- Season with ½ teaspoon of salt and ¼ teaspoon of pepper.
Bring It All Together (2 mins)
- In same skillet, combine:
- Cooked pasta
- Chicken
- Fresh pesto
- Add ¼ cup reserved pasta water to create silky sauce
- Toss gently until everything is beautifully coated
- Chef's Secret: For extra creamy texture, stir in 1 tbsp butter at the end!
Final Touches
- Garnish with:
- Extra Parmesan
- Fresh basil leaves
- Cracked black pepper
- Serve immediately while piping hot!
- Total Active Time: Just 25 minutes!