Chicken Pesto Pasta

So simple.  Yet, so delicious!  Chicken Pesto Pasta is chicken and penne in a basil pesto sauce.

This is one of those recipes that’s great for a busy weeknight.  You only need a handful of ingredients to make it.  It’s ready in under 20 minutes.  And, it’s so, so good!

Just sauté some chunks of chicken breast with a little seasoning.  Add prepared basil pesto and cooked pasta.  And, that’s it.  You’re done!

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Pesto is full of flavor.  Prepared pesto mainly consists of basil, olive oil, pine nuts, and parmesan cheese.  Which means, pesto is pretty high in calories and fat.

To lighten up this dish, cut back on the pesto and add some of the starchy pasta cooking water.

Watch the step by step recipe video for Chicken Pesto Pasta!

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Chicken Pesto Pasta

Prep Time

5 mins

Cook Time

12 mins

Total Time

17 mins

 

So simple.  Yet, so delicious!  Chicken Pesto Pasta is chicken and penne in a basil pesto sauce.

Course: Dinner, Entree, Main Course

Cuisine: American, Italian

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 560 kcal

Author: Amanda Finks

Ingredients

• 8 oz. (half a 1 pound box) penne rigate pasta
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite size chunks
• 1 tsp. Italian seasoning
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
• 3/4 cup basil pesto

Instructions

1. Cook the pasta according to it’s package directions. Before draining the pasta, reserve 1/4 cup of the starchy cooking liquid.
2. As the pasta cooks, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Add the chicken, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper. Stir well to coat the chicken. Cook for 6-8 minutes, until the chicken is cooked through, stirring occasionally. Remove the skillet from the heat.
3. Add the cooked and drained pasta and the pesto to the skillet with the chicken. Stir well.
4. To loosen up the sauce, add some of the reserved starchy cooking liquid, if needed.

Nutrition Facts

Chicken Pesto Pasta

Amount Per Serving (1 /4th the recipe)

Calories 560 Calories from Fat 232

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 25.8g 40%

Saturated Fat 5g 25%

Total Carbohydrates 45.8g 15%

Dietary Fiber 2.8g 11%

Protein 34.2g 68%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.