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–+ servings
Plate of pesto chicken pasta with grilled chicken pieces, penne pasta, and grated cheese

Pesto Chicken Pasta

A simple and flavorful pasta dish with tender chicken and fresh pesto sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Course: dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 450
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 oz penne pasta
  • 1 tsp salt for boiling water
For the Chicken
  • 2 cups cooked chicken breast diced or shredded
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
For the Pesto Sauce
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto store-bought or homemade
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp heavy cream optional

Equipment

  • Large pot
  • Skillet
  • Colander

Method
 

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
  2. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the cooked chicken and black pepper, stirring until heated through.
  3. Reduce heat to low and stir in the pesto sauce, Parmesan cheese, and heavy cream (if using). Mix well.
  4. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss until evenly coated with the sauce.
  5. Serve warm, garnished with extra Parmesan if desired.

Nutrition

Calories: 450kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 18gSaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 65mgSodium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 2g

Notes

For extra flavor, add cherry tomatoes or sautéed mushrooms. Substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter option.

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