Pesto Chicken Mostaccioli
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of Pesto Chicken Mostaccioli, a crowd-pleasing pasta dish that’s as comforting as it is elegant. Featuring tender slices of seasoned, golden-brown chicken breast and perfectly cooked mostaccioli, this dish is coated in a creamy pesto sauce infused with rich Parmesan cheese and a hint of garlic. Juicy bursts of halved cherry tomatoes add a fresh pop of color and flavor, while fresh basil leaves provide a fragrant finishing touch. Ready in just 40 minutes, this satisfying recipe effortlessly combines simple ingredients and bold, Italian-inspired flavors, making it perfect for busy weeknights or casual entertaining.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 12 oz mostaccioli pasta
- 2 large boneless skinless chicken breasts
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper
- 0.5 tsp garlic powder
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 cup pesto sauce
- 0.5 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (halved)
- 4 leaves fresh basil (for garnish)
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the mostaccioli pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Season the chicken breasts with salt, black pepper, and garlic powder on both sides.
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chicken breasts and cook for 5-7 minutes per side, or until fully cooked and golden brown. Remove the chicken from the skillet and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before slicing into thin strips.
In the same skillet, lower the heat to medium-low and pour in the pesto sauce and heavy cream. Stir until the sauce is well combined and begins to simmer, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the drained mostaccioli pasta to the skillet and toss until the pasta is evenly coated with the pesto sauce.
Gently stir in the sliced chicken, cherry tomatoes, and grated Parmesan cheese. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until everything is heated through.
Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves and, if desired, additional Parmesan cheese.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
878 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 62.4 g | 80% | |
| Saturated Fat | 16.8 g | 84% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 6.4 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 135 mg | 45% | |
| Sodium | 1374 mg | 60% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 31.9 g | 12% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.7 g | 10% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.3 g | ||
| Protein | 46.0 g | 92% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 270 mg | 21% | |
| Iron | 3.4 mg | 19% | |
| Potassium | 519 mg | 11% | |
*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.
