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Pesto Chicken Pasta

Easy summer dinner recipe
Course dinner, Main Course
Cuisine Italian
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 6 people
Author Megan

Ingredients

Pesto Sauce

  • 2 Cups fresh Basil leaves packed
  • 2 Cloves Garlic
  • 1/4 Cup Pine Nuts
  • 2/3 Cup Olive Oil divided
  • 1/2 Cup Parmesan fresh grated
  • Salt and Pepper to taste

Pasta

  • 16 ounces Penne Pasta
  • 1 1/2 Cups tomatoes sliced
  • 1 Cup Rotisserie Chicken cooked
  • 1/2 Cup Parmesan Cheese fresh grated

Instructions

  • Bring a large pot of water to boil. Follow directions on package to cook your pasta of choice. I like to use Penne, but Farfalle or Rotini works well too. Drain and set aside.
  • Meanwhile, combine basil, garlic, and pine nuts in a food processor. Pulse a few times until chopped.
  • Add 1/2 Cup Olive Oil and process until smooth. Continue adding remaining Olive Oil until desired consistency is reached. Season with Salt and Pepper.
  • Transfer to a small mixing bowl and add the Parmesan cheese. Pour pesto over cooked pasta and stir until well-coated. Mix chicken. Top with tomatoes and extra Parmesan. Serve warm.

Notes

To add more fiber, try using half whole wheat and half regular white pasta. Also, if you are using home-grown basil, remember to dust the leaves with a paper towel before making the pesto sauce.