Light Pesto Pasta With Chicken (Print Version)
Tender chicken meets fresh basil pesto and perfectly cooked pasta for a satisfying, healthy meal.
# What You'll Need:
→ Meats
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 10.5 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Pasta
02 - 12 oz whole wheat or regular spaghetti or penne
→ Pesto
03 - 1.75 oz fresh basil leaves
04 - 2 tbsp pine nuts
05 - 2 garlic cloves, peeled
06 - 1.5 oz grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 2-3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
08 - Juice of ½ lemon
09 - Salt and pepper to taste
→ Vegetables
10 - 3.5 oz cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
11 - 1 handful baby spinach (optional)
→ Garnishes
12 - Extra grated Parmesan
13 - Fresh basil leaves
# How to Make It:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
02 - Meanwhile, in a food processor, blend basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Slowly drizzle in olive oil until a smooth pesto forms. Adjust seasoning to taste.
03 - Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken pieces and cook 6-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden and cooked through. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Transfer to a plate.
04 - Add cherry tomatoes and spinach to the skillet and sauté 2 minutes until just softened.
05 - Reduce heat to low, return chicken to the skillet, and add drained pasta. Stir in pesto and a splash of reserved pasta water to create a light sauce that coats the pasta. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and basil.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The homemade pesto transforms weeknight chicken into something restaurant worthy with almost zero effort
- Leftovers somehow taste better the next day when the flavors really meld together
02 -
- Reserving that pasta water is non negotiable, its the magic ingredient that binds the pesto to the noodles
- Homemade pesto will oxidize and turn dark if left sitting too long, so make it right before you need it
03 -
- Toasting the pine nuts in a dry pan before blending releases their natural oils and makes the pesto noticeably more fragrant
- Room temperature ingredients blend more smoothly, so take your cheese and lemon out while you prep everything else