Description
Learn how to make a delicious Chicken Pesto Pasta with this easy recipe. Simple steps for a flavorful dish perfect for any occasion. Click here!
Ingredients
- 1 pound (454 g) boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon (5 ml) Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt
- Black pepper
- 8 ounce (227 g) s penne pasta, preferably with ridges
- 2 tablespoon (30 ml) s extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) heavy cream
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) parmesan cheese, plus more for serving if you like
- 1/4 cup (60 ml) sun dried tomatoes, drained if packed in oil
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) basil pesto, homemade or quality store-bought, plus more if you like
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (8 ml) red pepper flakes
- Handful of torn basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Flavor the chicken. Place the chicken pieces in a bowl and sprinkle them with Italian seasoning, along with generous pinches of kosher salt and black pepper. Mix well to ensure even coating.
- Prepare the pasta. Fill a medium pot with water and bring it to a boil. Generously salt the water, using about a tablespoon of salt. Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook until it reaches an al dente texture, following the package directions (roughly 8 to 9 minutes).
- Sauté the chicken. Meanwhile, as the pasta cooks, pour the olive oil into a large non-stick pan and heat it over medium-high. Place the chicken in the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until it is golden on the outside and fully cooked inside, approximately 7 to 8 minutes.
- Strain the pasta. Once the pasta is done, reserve about a cup of the cooking water before draining it.
- Combine the components. Reduce the heat and add the drained pasta, heavy cream, parmesan, and sun-dried tomatoes to the skillet with the chicken. Stir thoroughly to blend all the ingredients. If the mixture seems dry, gradually add some reserved pasta water, a little at a time, until it achieves a creamy, glossy consistency.
- Incorporate the pesto. Remove the pan from the heat source and mix in the basil pesto. Top with a sprinkle of grated parmesan, red pepper flakes, and fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
- Use homemade basil pesto for a more flavorful dish.
- Reserve pasta cooking water to adjust sauce consistency.
- Garnish with extra parmesan and basil for added freshness.
