Pesto pasta topped with smoky grilled bird a squeeze of lemon and fresh basil. This pesto pasta is straightforward to make and is dairy-unfastened!
Pesto pasta with grilled chicken – flawlessly charred and pro grilled fowl breast paired with a herbaceous pesto pasta. This grilled fowl pesto pasta is one in every of my move-to meals after I’m quick on time however nevertheless need some thing tasty and enjoyable. It’s a short and smooth meal that comes together in much less than 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights. Plus, it’s a incredible manner to deplete any leftover hen you may have.
Pesto is one in every of my all-time preferred sauces. It’s so flavorful and versatile and is going tremendous with pretty much anything. I particularly find it irresistible paired with grilled chicken. The aggregate of the savory chicken and the intense, herby pesto is impossible to resist. i have my personal recipe for pesto that I prefer to use for this recipe, but you may use any pesto you like.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Chicken Pesto Pasta
Filling and scrumptious. This pasta is full of flavor and vitamins and will go away you feeling satisfied.
Quick and clean. This meal comes together in much less than 30 minutes, making it perfect for busy weeknights.
Super for leftovers. when you have leftover chicken, that is a first-rate way to use it up. additionally, the pasta itself makes great leftovers and can be taken to lunch or even eaten on a one-of-a-kind night!
Child-pleasant. Get your kids to consume sparkling herbs with this child-friendly pasta dish.
Ingredients to Make Pesto Pasta With Grilled Chicken
- Spaghetti: in case you’re now not keen on white pasta, you could use wheat, gluten-free, or a veggie blend.
- Pesto: i’ve my very own recipe for pesto that I choose to use for this recipe, but you may use any pesto you’ve got accessible.
- Parmesan cheese: because the whole thing is higher with cheese.
- Butter: The butter adds a richness to the pesto and facilitates convey the whole thing together.
- Grilled chicken: seasoned and grilled to perfection. you can also use rotisserie chicken if you’re short on time.
- Seasoning: A sprinkle of salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika is all you want to season the chicken.
- Lemon: The lemon juice adds a completing pop of brightness to the pasta and chicken.
- Olive oil: keeps the chicken from sticking to the grill pan or grill.
How to Make Chicken Pesto Pasta
You may use an outside grill or an indoor grill pan for the chicken. I sincerely like the convenience that an indoor grill pan brings to the home. you could have smoky, charred grilled chicken even in a snowfall.
Grill Chicken
- Preheat a grill pan. Add the olive oil. Season both sides of the chicken with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and paprika and transfer to the heated skillet.
- Cook the chicken on each side or until golden brown and cooked through.
Cook Pasta & Toss With Pesto
- Add the pesto, Parmesan cheese, and butter to the cooked pasta. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
- Mix together and add in reserved pasta water gradually until the sauce is glossy.
- Add the sliced chicken strips on top of the pesto pasta.
- Finish with a squeeze of lemon.
Tips for Making Pesto Chicken Pasta With No Cream
Cook the noodle to al dente. Pasta is first-rate when it’s cooked to al dente, which means that it’s cooked via however still has a piece of chew to it. This prevents the pasta from turning into smooth and overcooked.
Shock the pasta. After the pasta is cooked, surprise it in cold water to stop the cooking procedure. this could help keep the pasta from turning into overcooked and delicate.
Make certain the hen is completely cooked. chicken must be cooked to an internal temperature of a hundred sixty five levels Fahrenheit. Use a meat thermometer to test for doneness.
Use sparkling herbs. when you have them reachable, use sparkling basil and parsley within the pesto. It makes a huge difference in flavor!
Popular Substitutions & Additions
Use chicken thighs in place of breasts. in case you select darkish meat, you may use hen thighs rather than breasts. just be sure to regulate the cooking time thus.
Add greens. you may without problems add vegetables to this dish to make it even more nutritious. try including some sautéed mushrooms, grilled zucchini, or roasted crimson peppers.
Make it vegan/dairy-free. To make this dish vegan or dairy-unfastened, genuinely leave out the Parmesan cheese from the pesto. you may additionally use a vegan pesto recipe.
Use any pasta you’ve got on hand. in case you don’t have spaghetti, no problem! A box of elbow macaroni, fusilli, or even penne could work just excellent.
How to Store & Reheat Chicken Pesto Pasta
Store any leftovers in an air-tight container in the fridge. To reheat, simply microwave the pasta or reheat it on the stove over low heat. You may need to add a splash of water or chicken broth to moisten it up.
How Long Will Pesto Pasta Last in the Fridge?
If stored properly, this pasta will last in the fridge for up to four days. After that, the pesto will start to lose its bright green color, and the flavors will become muted.
Can I Freeze Pesto Pasta?
Yes! because there is no cream in the pesto, it freezes truely nicely. i really like to component out person servings in order that i will thaw and reheat them as wanted.
To freeze, absolutely save it in an airtight field within the freezer for up to three months. Thaw in a single day in the fridge earlier than reheating.
Frequently Asked Questions
What pasta is pesto high-quality with?
Pesto is historically made with Ligurian basil, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil. It’s commonly served with spaghetti or any other long, skinny pasta noodle.
What can i use rather than chicken?
if you’re now not keen on hen, you could do this recipe with shrimp, salmon, or maybe tofu. simply make certain to adjust the cooking time for this reason.
What am i able to serve with pesto chicken pasta?
This dish is pretty hearty on its personal, however you could round it out with a easy aspect salad or a few garlic knots. For dessert Banana first-rate Cream, Greek Yogurt muffins, or Cinnamon Baked Apples.
