Print

Quick Pesto Chicken Pasta with Fresh Basil

A vibrant plate of Pesto Chicken Pasta featuring fusilli noodles, chunks of grilled chicken, and bright red cherry tomatoes.
Print Recipe
Save Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Make this vibrant, herb-forward Pesto Chicken Pasta for a fast Mediterranean dinner that tastes fresh and bright.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 12 ounces pasta (penne or rotini work well)
  • 1 cup prepared basil pesto
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1/4 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped for garnish

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  3. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve about 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta.
  4. Return the skillet to low heat. Stir in the basil pesto and heavy cream. Mix until the sauce is smooth.
  5. Add the cooked chicken and the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat everything evenly in the sauce.
  6. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese and a few tablespoons of the reserved pasta water until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. Add more pasta water if the sauce seems too thick.
  7. Fold in the halved cherry tomatoes.
  8. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh chopped basil.

Notes

  • For a richer flavor, you can make your own basil pesto using fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, and olive oil.
  • If you do not have heavy cream, you can substitute it with an equal amount of whole milk, though the sauce will be thinner.
  • This dish is a great quick chicken dinner option for busy weeknights.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://hearthbite.com/pesto-chicken-pasta-mediterranean-flavor/