Basil Pesto Chicken Pasta

Name: Basil Pesto Chicken Pasta
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 8 ounce linguine; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 cup chicken (pre-cooked, shredded or diced); 0.5 cup basil pesto; 0.25 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped); 2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese (grated); 2 cup fresh spinach; 0.25 teaspoon salt; 0.25 teaspoon black pepper

A speedy and flavorful pasta dish with tender chicken, bright pesto sauce, and sun-dried tomatoes, making for a perfect weeknight meal.

Prep: 10 min
Cook: 15 min
Total: 25 min
Servings: 4
Cuisine: Italian
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: $2.56/serving

Dietary

Low-Sugar
High-Protein

Ingredients

8 ounce linguine
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup chicken (pre-cooked, shredded or diced)
0.5 cup basil pesto
0.25 cup sun-dried tomatoes (chopped)
2 tablespoon Parmesan cheese (grated)
2 cup fresh spinach
0.25 teaspoon salt
0.25 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Cook the linguine according to package directions in salted water. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta cooking water before draining.
While pasta cooks, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the pre-cooked chicken and warm through, about 2-3 minutes.
Stir in the basil pesto, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and 2 tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. Add the fresh spinach and cook until wilted, about 2-3 minutes.
Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the chicken and sauce. Toss to combine, adding some reserved pasta water if needed to reach desired consistency. Season with 1/4 teaspoon of salt and 1/4 teaspoon of black pepper.
Serve immediately, topped with extra grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

You can use rotisserie chicken for an even faster meal. Any type of short or long pasta works well with this sauce.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 480
Protein: 28.1 g
Carbohydrates: 44.5 g
Fat: 22.9 g
Fiber: 3.8 g
Sodium: 760 mg
Saturated Fat: 4.8 g
Sugar: 2.1 g
Cholesterol: 65 mg