Craving a restaurant-quality meal that's both incredibly delicious and ridiculously easy to make? Get ready to transform your dinner routine with this mouthwatering Italian Chicken Pesto Pasta that will transport your taste buds straight to the heart of Italy! In less time than it takes to order takeout, you'll create a creamy, vibrant dish that looks like it was crafted by a professional chef – but with minimal effort and maximum flavor.
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 20 mins
Total Time: 30 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz pasta of choice
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, grated
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Fill a large pot with water and add a generous pinch of salt. Bring the water to a rolling boil over high heat.
- Add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking.
- While pasta is cooking, ensure your cooked chicken is shredded or cut into bite-sized pieces. If using raw chicken, cook and shred beforehand.
- Drain the pasta in a colander, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water to help create a smooth sauce later.
- Return the drained pasta to the pot and add the pesto sauce, stirring gently to coat the pasta evenly. If the sauce seems too thick, add a small amount of reserved pasta water.
- Fold in the shredded chicken and halved cherry tomatoes, mixing carefully to distribute ingredients.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste, adjusting flavors as needed.
- Transfer the pasta to serving plates and sprinkle generously with grated parmesan cheese.
- Serve immediately while hot, garnishing with additional fresh basil leaves if desired.
Tips
- Use high-quality pesto for the most authentic flavor – homemade or a premium store-bought brand can make a huge difference.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining. The starchy liquid helps create a silky, smooth sauce that clings perfectly to your pasta.
- For extra flavor, consider toasting your chicken briefly in a pan with a touch of garlic before adding it to the pasta.
- Choose pasta shapes that hold sauce well, like rotini, penne, or fusilli. These help capture more of the delicious pesto in each bite.
- If you want to make this dish ahead of time, prepare the components separately and combine just before serving to maintain the best texture and freshness.
- For a lighter version, you can use Greek yogurt mixed with pesto or substitute part of the pesto with fresh herbs to reduce calories.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 424kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 28g
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 3g
Cholesterol: 49mg
