Quick & Easy Parmesan Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe May Be the Perfect Dinner (4 Ingredients, 15 Minutes) by Donna John

Quick. Easy. Delicious. Four ingredients. For me, that adds up to the perfect dinner. This quick and easy Parmesan chicken pesto pasta recipe is one that's on my dinner table quite often. My husband calls it "green spaghetti," but I call it being out of the kitchen fast and able to read a book or simply relax instead of spending all evening cooking and doing dishes. This is a winner winner chicken pasta dinner.

Photo credit (all photos): Donna John

The ingredient list for this high-protein recipe is super short. Here is your shopping list for this Italian pasta recipe: spaghetti noodles, boneless/skinless chicken breasts (read about the health benefits of protein), a jar of basil pesto (check out the health benefits of pesto) and Parmesan cheese (Parmesan cheese has health benefits). The chicken breast is cooked in a little bit of the basil pesto, which contains olive oil, so no need to grab the olive oil dispenser for this easy dinner recipe.

Variation: Like things creamy? You could add heavy cream, whole milk or evaporated milk along with the Parmesan cheese. You could also use homemade basil pesto if you prefer it over jarred pesto. I keep a jar of pesto in the pantry at all times for budget-friendly recipes like this one. But I do make homemade basil pesto when my basil plant is thriving.

Serve this vibrant pesto spaghetti with tender chicken for dinner with your favorite side dishes. I added a simple garden salad on the side.

Cuisine: Mediterranean / Italian
Prep Time: 3 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 12 ounces spaghetti noodles
• 1 large or 2 small chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 6.7 ounces (1 jar) basil pesto (divided)
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Here's how to make it: 

1. Cook the pasta according to package directions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
   
2. Heat about 1 tablespoon of the basil pesto in a large skillet. Add the chicken and cook until chicken is cooked through, about 4 to 5 minutes. Add the remaining pesto and stir to combine.
   
3. Add the cooked spaghetti noodles.
   
4. Stir in the Parmesan cheese. (I seasoned with some black pepper but added no additional salt.)
   
5. Serve with additional grated Parmesan, if desired. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge and reheat in the microwave.
   

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