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One pan pesto chicken pasta

One-pan Pesto Chicken Pasta

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4.7 from 10 reviews

One-pan Pesto Chicken Pasta is the ultimate fuss-free dinner for busy weeknights! It’s super quick to prepare and all cooked in the one-pan, so there is minimal fuss and minimal cleanup. 

  • Total Time: 25 mins
  • Yield: 4 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 500 g (1 lb 2 oz) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
  • 1 tsp sea salt flakes, plus extra to taste
  • ½ tsp cracked black pepper, plus extra to taste
  • 2½ tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1 tbsp freshly minced garlic
  • 3 cups (750 ml) chicken stock
  • 1½ cups (375 ml) thickened (heavy) cream
  • 250 g (9 oz) short pasta (that takes between 8–9 mins to cook)
  • 1 head of broccoli, cut into florets, stalk finely sliced (or 2 cups vegetables of choice)
  • 2 tbsp pesto, store-bought or homemade
  • 1 cup (100 g) freshly grated parmesan
  • Fresh basil leaves, to serve

Instructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan over medium–high heat. Add the chicken, salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, for 3–5 minutes until the chicken is just cooked through. Set aside.
  2. Add the butter and, once melted, add the garlic. Cook, stirring, for 30 seconds. Add the chicken stock and cream. Bring to a gentle simmer.
  3. Add the uncooked pasta. Cook for 4 minutes, uncovered, stirring occasionally.
  4. Scatter the broccoli (or vegetables of choice) on top of the pasta (see note 1). Place the lid on and cook for an additional 4 minutes, shuffling the pasta gently using your wooden spoon as required to ensure the pasta doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. 
  5. Return the chicken to the pan and stir through the pesto and parmesan. Season with salt and pepper to taste, add fresh basil leaves and enjoy!

Equipment

Notes

Note 1 – It’s okay if some of the vegetables become submerged, but try not to stir them through; they will steam as the pasta and sauce cook. It’s important that the pasta remains as submerged beneath the sauce as possible to ensure it cooks evenly.

Make ahead

Prep the chicken and vegetables up to 3 days prior.

Leftovers

Refrigerate for up to 3 days. Freeze for up to 2 months. For best results, thaw completely in the fridge overnight before reheating in the microwave or on the stovetop.

  • Author: Nicole
  • Prep Time: 10 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Category: pasta, one pan meal, chicken pasta
  • Method: pan
  • Cuisine: Italian

Find it online: https://simplehomeedit.com/recipe/one-pan-pesto-chicken-pasta/