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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Fire up the grill and make Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta! This pasta dish, which is amazing as a weeknight dinner or the perfect entertaining dish, is elegant and easy to make.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 476 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Italian-American Fussion

Ingredients

  • 2 chicken breasts boneless and skinless (about 1 lb.)
  • 1 teaspoon dried Italian seasoning
  • ¾ teaspoon granulated garlic
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper fresh cracked if possible
  • 16 oz. Farfalle cooked according to package instructions
  • 1 cup basil pesto homemade or store-bought
  • ½ cup parmesan grated
  • ¼ cup toasted pine nuts for garnish if desired

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat the grill to 400°F.
  2. Season the chicken with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, salt and pepper while the grill heats.
  3. Cook the chicken until cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. The cook time will depend on the thickness of the chicken breasts. If they’re thicker, they will need longer. Thinner, they’ll need less time.
  4. When the chicken’s internal temperature is 165°F, remove from the grill, and let rest on a plate for 10 minutes.
  5. Cut the chicken into thin slices using a sharp knife.
  6. In a large bowl, combine pasta, chicken, pesto and cheese.
  7. Mix well, until chicken and pasta are well coated with the pesto, adding a small amount of the pasta water if it seems dry.
  8. Finish by adding lots of fresh cracked pepper and additional parmesan cheese.
  9. Serve warm or at room temperature.

Notes

  • I don’t have a grill. Can I cook the chicken in another way?
  • Of course! Bake the chicken in the oven or sear it in a skillet. It will work any way you cook it, so long as you cook the chicken all the way through.
  • How will I know the chicken is done?
  • Take its temperature with an instant read meat thermometer! Gently stick the thermometer into the thickest part of the chicken and let it read. We’re looking for a temperature of 160°F to pull these off the grill because they will continue cooking for a few minutes when off the grill. (We want the internal temperature to reach 165°F.)
  • Can I use a different type of pasta?
  • Yes, you can. Short cut pastas like rotini and farfalle are good for this because they are easily coated in the sauce, but also very easy to eat at an event.
  • How do I toast the pine nuts?
  • Place them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F in the oven for 5-7 minutes, or until browned. Keep an eye on them because all ovens run at different temperatures and pine nuts can burn easily.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 476kcal (24%) Carbohydrates 29g (10%) Protein 25g (50%) Fat 30g (46%) Saturated Fat 6g (30%) Polyunsaturated Fat 20g Cholesterol 51mg (17%) Sodium 568mg (24%) Fiber 2g (8%) Sugar 1g (2%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 6servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 476

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 476kcal 24%
Carbohydrates 29g 10%
Protein 25g 50%
Fat 30g 46%
Saturated Fat 6g 30%
Polyunsaturated Fat 20g 118%
Cholesterol 51mg 17%
Sodium 568mg 24%
Fiber 2g 8%
Sugar 1g 2%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.