Penne with Chicken and Pesto
Penne with Chicken and Pesto is a fresh and satisfying pasta dish.It combines tender chicken with aromatic basil pesto.Quick to prepare and full of flavor.Ideal for family meals or casual entertaining.
Ingredients
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ¾ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water
Instructions
- Cook penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water, then drain.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
- Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and fully cooked. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté garlic briefly until fragrant.
- Return chicken to the skillet and stir in pesto.
- Add cooked pasta and reserved pasta water; toss to coat evenly.
- Fold in cherry tomatoes if using.
- Finish with Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil before serving.
Notes
- Use high-quality pesto for best flavour.
- Pasta water helps loosen and coat the sauce.
- Dish is best served fresh.
- Chicken can be grilled or pan-seared.
- Adjust pesto quantity to taste.