Looking for a crowd-pleasing pasta dish that combines fresh flavors with minimal effort? This Chicken Pesto Pasta recipe has become my go-to dinner solution when I want something delicious yet straightforward. The combination of tender chicken, al dente pasta, and vibrant homemade pesto creates a restaurant-worthy meal that’s surprisingly easy to prepare at home.
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta (or pasta of your choice)
- 2 large chicken breasts, diced into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- ½ cup pine nuts (or walnuts as a budget-friendly alternative)
- 3 cloves garlic, peeled
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for serving
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Cherry tomatoes for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta.
- While waiting for the water, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, combine basil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
- With the processor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until the mixture is smooth. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Season the diced chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Return the pasta to the pot, add the cooked chicken and pesto sauce. Toss everything together, adding pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and cherry tomatoes if desired.
Cook Time and Serving Size
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Servings: 6
Recipe Notes
- Store-bought pesto can be used as a time-saver, though homemade offers better flavor.
- The pasta water is crucial – it helps the pesto coat the pasta evenly and creates a silky texture.
- For meal prep, you can make the pesto ahead and store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- To prevent the pesto from oxidizing, place plastic wrap directly on its surface before storing.
- This recipe works well with any short pasta shape – try rotini, fusilli, or bow ties.
- For a lighter version, use chicken breast tenderloins and whole wheat pasta.
- Leftover pesto pasta can be enjoyed cold as a pasta salad the next day.
Chicken Pesto Pasta
A crowd-pleasing pasta dish that combines fresh flavors with minimal effort. The combination of tender chicken, al dente pasta, and vibrant homemade pesto creates a restaurant-worthy meal that's surprisingly easy to prepare at home.
Ingredients
- 1 pound penne pasta or pasta of your choice
- 2 large chicken breasts diced into 1-inch pieces
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- ½ cup pine nuts or walnuts as a budget-friendly alternative
- 3 cloves garlic peeled
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Cherry tomatoes for garnish optional
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to boil for the pasta.
- While waiting for the water, prepare the pesto. In a food processor, combine basil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
- With the processor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until the mixture is smooth. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Set aside.
- Season the diced chicken with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Cook the chicken pieces until golden brown and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- Return the pasta to the pot, add the cooked chicken and pesto sauce. Toss everything together, adding pasta water as needed to create a silky sauce.
- Serve hot, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and cherry tomatoes if desired.
