Discover the joy of making Pesto Chicken Pasta, a delicious and easy one-pot meal. This recipe combines juicy chicken breast, penne pasta, and homemade pesto sauce for an authentic Italian taste. It's an ideal choice for a comforting dinner or a casual family meal.
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Pesto Chicken Pasta stands out for its simplicity and rich flavors. The homemade pesto, made with fresh basil, Parmesan, and pine nuts, brings a fresh and savory touch to the dish. Whether you're serving it alone or with sides like a crisp salad or roasted veggies, it's a versatile recipe that's sure to impress.
This dish not only satisfies your taste buds but also makes cooking and cleanup effortless. It's perfect for those busy nights or when you want a wholesome meal without the fuss. Plus, with the ability to customize ingredients, you can make it just the way you like.
Pesto Chicken Pasta is more than just a meal; it's a way to bring simple, wholesome Italian cooking into your home. So, grab your apron and let's start cooking!
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Ingredients and Substitutions Overview
Preparing Chicken Pesto Pasta involves a blend of simple yet flavorful ingredients, primarily focusing on fresh produce, essential seasonings, and a rich pesto sauce. Here's a breakdown of what you'll need:
For Marinating the Chicken:
- Chicken Breast: This lean protein serves as the dish's foundation, offering a tender texture.
- Pesto Sauce: A key ingredient, pesto infuses the chicken with a fresh, herby taste.
- Paprika: It lends a gentle smoky sweetness, enhancing the chicken's flavor.
- Garlic Powder: This adds a rich, savory aroma to the marinade.
- Italian Seasoning: A mix of classic herbs like basil, oregano, and thyme, it brings an Italian flair to the dish.
- Black Pepper Powder: Provides a slight spicy kick, adding depth to the chicken's taste.
Additional Ingredients:
- Pasta (Penne or Your Choice): This is the core carbohydrate of the dish, offering a delightful chewy texture. Select your favorite pasta variety for this recipe - be it penne, angel hair, spaghetti, linguine, or rotini. Each brings its own texture and charm to the dish.
- Chicken Broth: Using this instead of water enriches the pasta with more flavor.
- Heavy Cream: It adds a luxurious creaminess, perfectly countering the pesto's robust taste.
- Parmesan Cheese: This cheese contributes a sharp, nutty flavor, enhancing the pasta's overall taste.
- Fats (Olive Oil and Butter): Olive oil introduces a light, fruity note, while butter brings in a rich depth.
- Nuts and Fresh Herbs: A garnish of nuts (like pine nuts) and fresh herbs (such as basil or parsley) provides a crunchy, aromatic finish that boosts both taste and visual appeal.
How to Make Pesto Chicken Pasta at Home?
Dive into the flavorful world of Chicken Pesto Pasta, a dish that perfectly balances rich, herby pesto with tender chicken. Follow along with our step-by-step guide, complete with photos and a video, to create this mouthwatering meal at home.
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Pesto Chicken Pasta
Ingredients
To Marinate Chicken
- 4 piece Chicken Breast, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp Paprika, use the heat variety of your choice
- ½ tsp Garlic Powder
- ½ tsp Italian Seasoning, optional
- Salt, to taste
- ¼ cup Pesto Sauce
For Pesto Pasta
- 2 cup Penne Pasta, or rotini, spaghetti, angel hair, bow tie pasta
- 2 cup Chicken broth
- 2 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1 tbsp Butter, unsalted
- 3 tbsp Onion, chopped
- 1 tbsp Garlic, chopped
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- ½ cup Parmesan Cheese
- ¼ cup Pesto Sauce
- ¼ tsp Black Pepper Powder
- ¼ tsp Chili Flakes, or adjust to the heat level
- 6 Sun-Dried Tomatoes
- Coriander Leaves, to garnish
- Toasted Pine Nuts, to garnish
Instructions
To Make Pesto Chicken Pasta
- Start by mixing thinly sliced chicken breast with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, salt, and pesto sauce in a bowl.
- Heat some oil in a pan over medium heat and add your marinated chicken breast.
- Cook the chicken for 5 to 7 minutes on each side. Make sure it's thoroughly cooked by checking that the thickest part of the breast reaches an internal temperature of 165°F.
- After the chicken is fully cooked, remove it from the pan, slice it, and set it aside for later.
- In the same pan, add a tablespoon of butter and sauté the onion and garlic until they become aromatic.
- Add the pasta and chicken broth to the pan. Stir well and let the pasta cook until it has absorbed the chicken broth.
- Pour in the heavy cream and mix thoroughly. Continue to cook the pasta until it is tender, remembering to stir occasionally to ensure it cooks evenly.
- When the pasta is tender, add black pepper, chili flakes, and Parmesan cheese, and mix everything well.
- Now it's time to add the pesto sauce, the previously cooked sliced chicken breast, and sun-dried tomatoes (you can use whole or chopped tomatoes as well).
- To finish, garnish the pasta with coriander leaves and toasted pine nuts before removing it from the heat.
To Serve
- Enjoy our creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta with sliced cherry tomatoes for a satisfying meal. Elevate it with crusty bread, roasted veggies, or sautéed dishes as sides for a well-rounded dining experience.
Recipe Video
Chef's Notes and Tips
- Thinly Slice the Chicken Breast: Slicing the chicken thinly ensures it cooks faster and more evenly, yielding tender and juicy pieces.
- Season the Chicken Properly: Enhance the chicken's flavor by seasoning it with garlic powder, Italian seasoning, paprika, and a touch of salt.
- Marinate the Chicken (If Time Allows): Marinating the chicken in pesto sauce and seasonings for at least 10 minutes adds an extra layer of flavor.
- Use a Meat Thermometer: Ensure thorough cooking by checking the chicken’s internal temperature with a meat thermometer; it should reach 165°F (74°C) as per FDA guidelines.
- Cook Pasta Al Dente: Cook the pasta until it's al dente, retaining a slight bite to prevent it from becoming mushy when mixed with the sauce.
- Stir Occasionally: Stir the pasta from time to time during cooking to prevent sticking and ensure even cooking.
- Adjust Sauce Consistency: Tailor the creaminess of your sauce by adding more chicken broth or heavy cream as needed.
Nutrition Info
Disclaimer
We're not nutrition experts, and the nutritional information provided is an estimate. Please use it as a guide. For precise details, it's best to consult a professional. To learn more, please view our Detailed Disclaimers.
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Serving Suggestions
Enhance your Pesto Chicken Pasta meal with these delightful accompaniments:
- Garlic Bread: Freshly baked garlic bread makes a perfect side, with its crispy texture and rich garlic flavor complementing the pesto pasta.
- Side Salad: A light salad with mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and a vinaigrette dressing offers a refreshing contrast to the creamy pasta.
- Roasted Vegetables: Try roasted zucchini, green beans, carrots, broccoli, asparagus, or cherry tomatoes for a flavorful and nutritious addition.
- Sautéed Veggies: Options like mushrooms, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, green beans, or spinach to perfection pair wonderfully with the pasta, rounding out the meal.
Storage Suggestions
Enjoy Chicken Pesto Pasta fresh and warm, or store it in the fridge for up to 2 days in a sealed container. Be mindful when reheating, as the cheese may separate. For best results, gently warm the pasta on the stovetop over low heat. This approach helps maintain its creamy consistency and delicious flavor.
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