### Creamy Pesto Pasta with Chicken
Creamy pesto pasta is an exquisite dish that merges seasoned pieces of chicken breast cooked in a luxurious, creamy basil pesto sauce with delicate spaghetti. This complete meal is not only tasty but also simple to make, making it an ideal selection for any day of the week.
#### Flavor Profile
The dish showcases a rich, cheesy pesto sauce that coats tender pieces of chicken and pasta, delivering a fulfilling and flavorful experience.
#### Skill Level
This recipe is suitable for beginners and comes together swiftly, especially with the use of pre-made pesto and basic pantry staples.
#### Budget Tips
To make the meal stretch further, think about adding more pasta. This not only boosts the quantity but also improves the overall texture of the dish.
#### Ingredient Swaps
For a vegetarian alternative, replace the chicken with assorted vegetables. Alternatively, you could choose rotisserie chicken, shrimp, or roasted veggies to craft a hearty meal.
### Ingredients Tips for Pesto Pasta
– **Creamy Pesto Sauce**: Opting for jarred pesto streamlines the process. However, if you have fresh basil on hand, making a homemade version can enhance the dish.
– **Pasta**: Spaghetti is perfect for this recipe due to its quick cooking time and its ability to hold the sauce well. If spaghetti isn’t available, linguine, fettuccine, or penne are excellent substitutes.
– **Chicken**: Fresh boneless, skinless chicken breasts or cutlets are ideal. If pressed for time, frozen chicken meatballs can be used instead.
– **Variations**: You’re welcome to add diced zucchini, sliced mushrooms, asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, or chopped spinach or kale for extra nutrition and flavor.
### Cooking Tips
– Cook the pasta until al dente, as it will continue cooking when combined with the sauce. Set aside some pasta water to modify the sauce’s texture if necessary.
– Chop the chicken into bite-sized pieces for uniform cooking and to ensure each bite contains a bit of everything.
– Remove the skillet from heat prior to adding parmesan cheese and pesto to avoid scorching the dairy.
### Leftovers
Store remaining chicken pesto pasta in a sealed container in the fridge for up to three days. It can be enjoyed cold for lunch or reheated in the microwave with a splash of milk to loosen the sauce. Freezing is not advised due to the high dairy content, which can become grainy upon thawing.
### Serving Suggestions
Creamy pesto pasta complements a side salad or garlic bread for a complete meal experience.
### Conclusion
This creamy pesto pasta recipe is an excellent choice for a quick and gratifying dinner. With its rich flavors and straightforward preparation, it’s bound to become a beloved family dish. Relish this recipe any day of the week, and feel free to adapt it to match your taste preferences!