How to Make Pesto Pasta with Chicken | Pasta Recipe | Allrecipes.com

pesto

🥗Healthier: avocado pesto

💰Cheaper: spinach and basil blend

Avocado pesto provides healthy fats while a spinach blend reduces costs.

parmesan cheese

🥗Healthier: nutritional yeast

💰Cheaper: grated mozzarella

Nutritional yeast adds a cheesy flavor without dairy.

pine nuts

🥗Healthier: walnuts

💰Cheaper: sunflower seeds

Walnuts are cheaper and still provide a similar texture.

chicken breast

🥗Healthier: tofu

💰Cheaper: chicken thighs

Tofu is plant-based while chicken thighs are less expensive than breasts.

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil.

Add 1 16 oz package of bow tie pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente.

While the pasta is cooking, mince 2 cloves of garlic and cut 2 boneless skinless chicken breast halves into bite-sized pieces.

Drain 1/3 cup of oil packed sundried tomatoes and cut them into strips.

When the pasta is cooked, drain it in a colander.

Heat 1 teaspoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

Sauté the minced garlic until it is tender, about 30 seconds.

Stir in the chicken pieces and season with crushed red pepper flakes to taste.

Cook the chicken until it's golden and cooked through, about 5 minutes per side.

In a large bowl, add the cooked pasta, cooked chicken, sundried tomatoes, and 1/2 cup of pesto sauce.

Toss everything together to coat evenly.

Top each serving with some grated Parmesan cheese and garnish with fresh basil.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens