Chicken Pesto Pasta

A Comforting Meal

Chicken Pesto Pasta is a beloved dish in our household, especially for my daughter, Haley. It’s a recipe that has stood the test of time with my family, and we’ve been enjoying it for many years. Not only is it delicious and satisfying, but it’s also incredibly easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights when you want a comforting meal without the fuss.

Easy Dinner Idea

To start, cook your pasta according to the package instructions, making sure to reserve some pasta water. While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat.  Pat the chicken dry with a paper towel and season with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook the chicken until it’s no longer pink.

In the same skillet, with the heat turned off, add halved grape tomatoes, cooked pasta, and a jar of pesto. Stir everything together, adding a bit of pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Finally, add fresh mozzarella pearls for a creamy and cheesy finish.

Ingredients for Chicken Pesto Pasta

• 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breast cut into bite-size pieces
• 1TBSP olive oil
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 pint of grape tomatoes
• 1 jar of pesto (about 6oz)
• 8oz package of fresh mozzarella pearls
• 1 box of pasta (I like protein bowtie pasta)

Instructions

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions, reserve ½ cup of pasta water
2. While the pasta is cooking, heat a large skillet over medium heat
3. Pat chicken dry and season on both sides with salt, pepper, and garlic powder
4. Add oil to skillet and cook the chicken until no longer pink, 2-3 minutes per side
5. Wash and dry tomatoes, then slice in half
6. Once the chicken is cooked, turn off the heat but leave the pan on the stove
7. Add the pasta, pesto, and tomatoes
8. Stir, add some pasta water if needed to thin the pesto
9. Finally, add the mozzarella pearls and serve

Great for Meal Prep

This Chicken Pesto Pasta is a crowd-pleaser but also perfect lunchtime meal prep.  Simply prepare the dish as instructed and divide it into meal prep containers for a delicious lunch all week long.  It’s a simple yet flavorful dish that’s sure to become a favorite in your household too.

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