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Pesto Pasta with Chicken

A comforting dish of al dente pasta swirled in rich basil pesto sauce with tender chicken, perfect for weeknight dinners or a cozy gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 oz pasta (e.g., fettuccine or penne)
  • 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
  • 1 cup pesto sauce
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil for garnish

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta
    Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package instructions until it’s al dente, then reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain.
  2. Combine Chicken and Pesto
    In a large skillet, over medium heat, add your cooked chicken and warm for 2-3 minutes before adding the pesto sauce and stirring to coat.
  3. Create a Creamy Sauce
    Pour in the heavy cream and mix well. Toss in halved cherry tomatoes and let simmer for about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Combine It All
    Add the drained pasta to the skillet with a splash of reserved pasta water, tossing everything together until evenly coated.
  5. Serve and Enjoy
    Remove from heat, sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese, garnish with fresh basil, and serve warm.

Notes

Feel free to use leftover chicken or experiment with various ingredients to make this dish your own.

Nutrition

Keywords: pasta, chicken, pesto, Italian, comfort food, quick dinner