Description
A quick and delicious Pesto Chicken Pasta recipe featuring no-boil oven-ready pasta cooked directly in a skillet with chicken and flavorful pesto sauce, finished with Parmesan cheese for a creamy, satisfying meal perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 1 box no-cook no-boiling oven-ready spaghetti, linguine, or angel hair pasta
Sauce & Protein
- 1 cup pesto, or to taste
- 12 ounces cooked chicken, cut into strips
Toppings
- Parmesan cheese, to taste
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Pour the oven-ready pasta into a large 12-inch diameter skillet. Add 3 cups of cold water to cover the pasta completely. Turn the burner on to high heat. Optionally add a pinch of salt to the water for seasoning. Cook on high, stirring occasionally, for about 7 minutes or until almost all the water has evaporated and the pasta is tender.
- Add Chicken and Pesto: Once the pasta is cooked and most of the water has evaporated, stir in the cooked chicken strips and pesto sauce thoroughly until everything is well combined and heated through.
- Finish with Cheese: Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the pasta mixture to taste, stirring gently to incorporate some cheese into the dish, reserving additional Parmesan for serving at the table.
Notes
- Using oven-ready pasta eliminates the need to boil separately, saving time and reducing cleanup.
- Adjust the amount of pesto according to personal taste preferences for a milder or stronger basil flavor.
- Cooked chicken can be substituted with other proteins like shrimp or tofu for variety.
- Make sure to stir occasionally when cooking pasta in water on the stovetop to prevent sticking.
- Additional vegetables such as cherry tomatoes or spinach can be added for enhanced nutrition and flavor.
- Prep Time: 3 minutes
- Cook Time: 7 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
