Chicken and Pesto Pasta

Pesto pasta with chicken and fresh basil.

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This 15 minute chicken and pesto pasta is perfect for a quick and easy weeknight dinner or lunch.

Prep Time5

Cook Time10

Course: Dinner, lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: Italian

Keyword: chicken, egg free, nut free, pasta, pesto, soy free

Servings:

Calories: 272kcal

Author: Tonje

Cost: Cheap

Ingredients

600 g chicken breast fillets
200 g pasta
6 tablespoon pesto
2 garlic cloves

Instructions

Add the pasta to boiling water and cook according to the instructions on the package. Most types of pasta will cook through in 3-10 minutes.
Meanwhile, grate the garlic, and finely dice the chicken. Heat some cooking spray or vegetable oil in a frying pan, then add the chicken. Cook until the chicken has barely cooked through, then add the garlic and saute for another minute. Set the chicken aside.
When the pasta has finished boiling, drain off the excess water. Add the pesto, chicken and garlic, and stir to combine. Serve the chicken and pesto pasta immediately while it’s still hot.

Notes

Is this recipe allergy friendly? – Consult the nutrition labels on the ingredients you use to make sure that they are suitable for your diet. This recipe is generally dairy free, soy free, nut free and egg free.

Can I make this without chicken? – Absolutely. Omit the chicken for a vegetarian version of the dish, or use a different kind of meat if you wish.

Leftovers

Leftover chicken and pesto pasta can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days, or frozen for up to 3 months. They can be served cold, or reheated in the microwave.

This recipe is absolutely perfect for meal prep. Make a big batch, and prepare lunches or dinners for the days to come.

Top tips

Here’s my best advice to make the perfect pesto and chicken pasta:

Use your favorite pesto in this recipe! A high quality pesto will make all the difference, since that’s where most of the flavor comes from.
Cut the chicken into small bite sized pieces, and cook until it has barely cooked through. Try to make sure that the chicken is tender, and not dry.
Serve this pasta with freshly grated parmesan, freshly ground black pepper or basil leaves. These toppings are commonly used with Italian dishes, and go really well with spaghetti.

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