Description
A vibrant summer dish featuring pasta tossed with tender chicken, fresh tomatoes, and a lively basil pesto.
Ingredients
- Pasta (your choice; fusilli or penne)
- Chicken breast (boneless, skinless; diced into bite-sized pieces)
- Fresh basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- Cherry tomatoes (halved; any variety)
- Pine nuts (lightly toasted for added crunch)
- Olive oil (for sautéing)
- Salt and pepper (to taste)
- Grated Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
Instructions
- Start by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add your pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, seasoning it with salt and pepper, and sauté until golden and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Once the chicken is done, add the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until the tomatoes begin to soften.
- Combine the drained pasta with the chicken and tomatoes in the skillet. Stir in the basil pesto, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to reach your desired sauce consistency.
- Toast the pine nuts in a dry skillet over low heat for a few minutes until golden and fragrant, then sprinkle over the dish before serving.
- Serve warm, garnished with a sprinkle of grated Parmesan cheese.
Notes
Using homemade pesto takes this dish to another level, but store-bought works just as well if you’re short on time.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing and Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian