Pasta with Pesto and Chicken

This Pasta with Pesto and Chicken is a delightful blend of tender chicken and al dente pasta, tossed in a vibrant homemade pesto sauce. It's a quick and flavorful meal that's perfect for any weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

• Pasta (fusilli or penne) - 200 grams
• Chicken breast - 200 grams, diced
• Fresh basil - 50 grams
• Pine nuts - 30 grams
• Garlic - 1 clove
• Parmesan cheese, grated - 30 grams
• Olive oil - 60 ml
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste
• Cherry tomatoes - 100 grams, halved
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon

Steps

1. Cook the pasta according to package instructions in salted boiling water until al dente, then drain and set aside.
2. In a food processor, combine fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, and Parmesan cheese. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
3. With the processor running, slowly drizzle in olive oil until the mixture is smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. In a skillet over medium heat, add diced chicken and season with salt and pepper. Cook for about 5-7 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and lightly browned.
5. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the chicken, then pour the pesto sauce over the mixture and toss to combine.
6. Stir in halved cherry tomatoes and lemon juice, and heat for an additional 2 minutes until everything is warmed through.
7. Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 550
• Protein: 30 g
• Carbs: 65 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 2 g
• Sodium: 450 mg
• Cholesterol: 70 mg
• Total Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 3 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Water: 0.3 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in protein from chicken, supporting muscle health.
• Contains healthy fats from olive oil and pine nuts, beneficial for heart health.

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