Chicken Pesto Pasta
User Reviews
5
-
Prep Time
5 mins
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Cook Time
12 mins
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Total Time
17 mins
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Servings
4 servings
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Calories
560 kcal
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Course
Main Course, Dinner
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Description
This recipe starts by cooking penne rigate according to package instructions. Before draining, some cooking water is reserved to loosen the pesto sauce as needed. Meanwhile, chicken breast pieces are cooked in olive oil and seasoned with Italian herbs, salt, and black pepper to develop a savory base.
Once cooked, the pasta and pesto are added to the skillet with the chicken so the flavors meld. The starch in the reserved pasta water helps create a light sauce that clings to the pasta and chicken, resulting in a balanced texture that is neither dry nor overly saucy.
The dish can be served as a standalone meal, offering a simple combination of tender chicken and herbaceous pesto coated pasta. Its minimal ingredient list allows the pesto flavor to stand out clearly.
Ingredients
- 8 oz. penne rigate pasta half a 1 pound box
- 1 tbsp. olive oil
- 1 lb. chicken breast cut into bite size chunks, boneless, skinless
- 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper ground
- 3/4 cup basil pesto
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to it’s package directions. Before draining the pasta, reserve 1/4 cup of the starchy cooking liquid.
- As the pasta cooks, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the chicken, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to coat the chicken. Cook for 6-8 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Add the cooked and drained pasta and the pesto to the skillet with the chicken. Stir well.
- To loosen up the sauce, add some of the reserved starchy cooking liquid, if needed.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 560 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1/4th the recipe | |
| Calories | 560kcal | 28% |
| Carbohydrates | 45.8g | 15% |
| Protein | 34.2g | 68% |
| Fat | 25.8g | 40% |
| Saturated Fat | 5g | 25% |
| Fiber | 2.8g | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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