5 from 39 votes
Chicken Pesto Pasta
Chicken Pesto Pasta features cooked penne pasta combined with sautéed, seasoned chicken pieces and basil pesto to create a flavorful and creamy pasta dish. The reserved starchy pasta water helps blend the ingredients into a cohesive sauce that coats the pasta and chicken evenly.
Prep Time
5 mins
Cook Time
12 mins
Total Time
17 mins
Servings:
4
servings
Calories:
560 kcal
Course:
Main Course, Dinner
Cuisine:
Italian, American
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.
Cup of Yum
Nutrition Information
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%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 4 servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 560
% 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.