Pesto Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

• 1 lb Chicken Breast
• 12 oz Penne Pasta
• 0.5 cup Basil Pesto
• 0.25 cup Heavy Cream(optional)
• 0.25 cup Parmesan Cheese
• 2 tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 cloves Garlic
• 1 pinch Salt and Pepper

Instructions

1. 1

   Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne according to package instructions until al dente.

2. 2

   While pasta cooks, dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.

3. 3

   Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.

4. 4

   Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.

5. 5

   Drain the pasta, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta water.

6. 6

   Lower the skillet heat to low. Add the cooked pasta, pesto, heavy cream, and reserved pasta water to the chicken.

7. 7

   Toss everything together until the pasta is well coated and the sauce has thickened slightly.

8. 8

   Garnish with parmesan cheese and serve immediately.