Pasta with Pesto and Chicken
Elevate your weeknight dinner routine with this irresistible Pasta with Pesto and Chicken recipe, a flawless combination of tender penne, juicy pan-seared chicken, and homemade basil pesto bursting with fresh, zesty flavors. This dish features a vibrant pesto made from aromatic basil leaves, rich pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, garlic, and a hint of lemon juice for brightness, blended to creamy perfection with extra-virgin olive oil. The golden chicken bites, seasoned and cooked in butter, add a savory depth that complements the al dente pasta beautifully. Perfect for busy schedules, this recipe comes together in just 40 minutes and offers a deliciously balanced meal that's ideal for family dinners or casual gatherings. Serve it hot with a generous sprinkle of Parmesan for a truly comforting and flavorful experience sure to impress!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 ounces penne pasta
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 0.5 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 0.5 cup parmesan cheese
- 0.25 cup pine nuts
- 2 garlic cloves
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 0.25 cup extra parmesan cheese for serving
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces.
Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add the butter. Once melted, add the chicken pieces to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 6-8 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
To make the pesto, in a food processor, combine the basil leaves, pine nuts, garlic, parmesan cheese, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Pulse until the ingredients are finely chopped. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in the extra-virgin olive oil until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
In the skillet used for the chicken, combine the cooked pasta, pesto, and chicken. Toss well to ensure the pasta is coated with the pesto. Add reserved pasta water a little at a time if the sauce is too thick.
Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if necessary.
Serve immediately, garnished with extra parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
3504 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 209.7 g | 269% | |
| Saturated Fat | 52.5 g | 262% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 12.2 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 328 mg | 109% | |
| Sodium | 3886 mg | 169% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 262.7 g | 96% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 15.3 g | 55% | |
| Total Sugars | 1.8 g | ||
| Protein | 149.9 g | 300% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 1202 mg | 92% | |
| Iron | 17.6 mg | 98% | |
| Potassium | 1666 mg | 35% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
