It’s that time of the week when the grocery store is calling, the fridge is getting empty and the daunting task of feeding a hungry family awaits, but you do not want to leave your house right now, so you pull out all the things you have in your pantry and fridge since you already decided to go the store tomorrow. We’ve all been there, right?

Those nights when the thought of conjuring up a creative meal feels overwhelming, and all you want is a simple dinner that will please everyone. Well, let me share my go-to solution for such moments: pasta and chicken.

Click here for more tasty pasta recipes.

Believe me, the decision-making process took longer than the actual cooking. I found myself standing in front of the fridge and then the pantry, contemplating various possibilities.

But in the end, I opted for the simplest and most reliable option. After all, who can resist the classic combination of tender pasta with succulent chicken? Plus, you can add any veggies you have, just saute or blanch.

The best part is, that this dish is so effortless that even your child could whip it up. In just fifteen minutes, I had a piping hot plate of pasta and chicken ready to be devoured.

Of course, I understand that each person has their own pace in the kitchen, so don’t worry if it takes you a bit longer. The important thing is that this recipe is foolproof and time-efficient.

Easy Dinner Recipes

Now, I must confess that my creative juices aren’t flowing as smoothly as I’d like, even when it comes to writing this blog post. These days, work consumes the majority of my time alongside motherhood, leaving little room for artistic inspiration.

I apologize if I haven’t been able to respond to your emails promptly or engage with your delightful posts. Rest assured, I appreciate every bit of support and connection I can get.

So, if you find yourself in a similar predicament, craving a quick and satisfying meal, try this tasty Chicken Pesto Pasta. Sometimes, simplicity is the key to a successful dinner, allowing you to focus on what truly matters: sharing a delicious meal with your loved ones.

Don’t forget to follow me on Instagram, Facebook or Pinterest; search @sandraseasycooking 

Happy Cooking!

Pasta that I love, but you can probably find it much cheaper in your local store:

Ronzoni Garden Delight Veggie TRICOLOR ROTINI

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Yield: 4 Servings

Chicken Pesto Pasta

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Chicken Pesto Pasta is a perfect weeknight dinner

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Ingredients

• 1 boneless Chicken Breast, skinless (2 halves)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and black pepper to taste
• 1/4 tablespoon of each: garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, rosemary, and paprika.
• 1/4 cup heavy whipped cream

Basil Pesto (or get store bought):

• ½ cup toasted pine nuts
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 garlic clove
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 2 cups fresh basil leaves
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• ¼ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Instructions

PASTA:

1. Boil water with 1 tablespoon kosher or sea salt to about four or five quarts of water for every 1 pound of pasta. Follow the instructions on the box.
   

PESTO:

1. Meanwhile, In a food processor, combine the pine nuts, lemon juice, garlic, and salt, and pulse until well chopped.
2. Add the basil and pulse until combined, then add olive oil and parmesan cheese; set aside.
   

CHICKEN:

1. Cut chicken in bite-sized peaches, and remove any fat or bones as sometimes they are left behind.
2. Heat oil on medium-high and add chicken to pan. Cook for 5 minutes, then season with salt, black peppers, and a good pinch of both, add 1/4 teaspoon of each seasoning: garlic powder, onion powder, oregano, rosemary, and paprika.
3. Mix it all well, and cook until the chicken is no longer pink; it takes about 10 minutes for the chicken to be completely cooked.
   

ASSEMBLE:

1. Add pesto to cooked chicken, then add a splash of pasta water, about 1/8 of cup, then heavy whipped cream. Mix to combine well.
2. Then add the pasta in and mix all well to coat. Add more parmesan cheese if you wish.

Notes

I used "TRI COLOR" pasta. You can use any of your choices.

You can use store-bought Basil Pesto. I love it and use it all the time. I just had all the ingredients to make homemade so that's what I did.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

4

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 364Total Fat: 32gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 25gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 416mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 2gSugar: 1gProtein: 14g

This data was provided and calculated by Nutritionix. Nutrition information isn’t always accurate, but we try our best.

Did you make this recipe?

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