Pasta With Chicken In Pesto Sauce Recipe

Cooking the Chicken

Begin by preparing the chicken breast. Cut the chicken into bite-sized pieces, ensuring they are uniform in size for even cooking. Heat a skillet over medium heat, add a small amount of olive oil, and once hot, add the chicken pieces. Cook until the pieces are golden brown and thoroughly cooked, turning them occasionally. This should take about 8-10 minutes, depending on the size of the pieces.

Preparing the Pasta

While the chicken is cooking, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook according to the package's instructions, usually about 8-10 minutes for al dente texture. Once cooked, drain the pasta and set it aside, reserving a small cup of the pasta cooking water.

Making the Pesto Sauce

For the pesto sauce, combine fresh basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, and olive oil in a food processor. Blend until the mixture achieves a smooth and creamy texture. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Combining the Ingredients

In a large bowl, combine the cooked pasta, chicken, and pesto sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated with the sauce. If the mixture seems too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta cooking water to reach the desired consistency.

Serving

Transfer the pasta to serving plates and, if desired, garnish with additional grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately for the best flavor and texture.