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Close-up of Chicken Pesto Pasta with fresh basil flavor, featuring orecchiette pasta coated in green pesto and topped with sliced, crispy chicken.

Chicken Pesto Pasta with Fresh Basil Flavor

This recipe provides instructions for making a simple Italian-style pasta dish featuring pan-fried, Parmesan-coated chicken served over pesto-tossed short pasta.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Pasta
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 10 ounces short pasta like penne or fusilli
For the Pesto
  • 2 cups fresh basil can substitute with arugula
  • 2 cloves garlic adjust quantity to taste
  • 1/2 cup olive oil use extra virgin for best flavor
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese freshly grated preferred
  • 1 teaspoon salt taste first before adding more
For the Chicken
  • 1 pound chicken breast thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese for coating
  • 1/4 cup olive oil for frying
  • 1 teaspoon salt for seasoning
  • 1 teaspoon pepper for seasoning

Equipment

  • Food processor
  • Large skillet
  • Pot
  • Measuring cups and spoons

Method
 

  1. Prepare the Pesto: Blend together fresh basil, garlic, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, and a pinch of salt in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Boil a pot of salted water and cook your chosen short pasta according to the package instructions until al dente, usually around 8-10 minutes. Drain the pasta and toss it gently with the prepared pesto.
  3. Prepare the Chicken: Take your thinly sliced chicken breasts and carefully coat them in grated Parmesan cheese, seasoning well with salt and pepper on both sides for a flavorful crust.
  4. Fry the Chicken: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Fry the chicken pieces until they are golden brown and crispy, about 5-7 minutes on each side, ensuring they are cooked through.
  5. Combine and Serve: Once the chicken is crispy, serve the pasta topped with the delicious chicken. Drizzle with extra pesto if desired, and feel free to garnish with additional Parmesan cheese or fresh basil for a pop of color.

Nutrition

Calories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 35gFat: 25gSaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 85mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 800mgFiber: 4gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 1500IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 250mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This recipe yields one plate serving of 600 calories. Adjust ingredient amounts if you need to change the serving size.

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