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Pesto Pasta Bake with Chicken Recipe

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4.3 from 51 reviews

This Pesto Pasta Bake with Chicken is a comforting and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken breast chunks baked together with pasta, cherry tomatoes, and a rich basil-pine nut pesto sauce. Topped with a heavenly blend of fresh mozzarella, parmesan cheese, and pine nuts, it offers a creamy, cheesy texture with a crispy golden top. Perfect for family dinners or entertaining guests, this baked pasta combines the freshness of herbs and tomatoes with the indulgence of melted cheese for a satisfying meal.

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

For the Pasta and Protein

  • 500 grams dry pasta – spirals, penne, or small pasta of choice
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium brown onion – sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic – crushed
  • ½ teaspoon salt – or to taste (plus extra salt for pasta water)
  • Black pepper – to taste
  • 500 grams chicken breast – cut into 2-3cm chunks (or chicken thigh; cooked chicken can be added at the end)

For the Vegetables and Sauce

  • 300 grams cherry tomatoes
  • 230 grams basil and pine nut pesto (reserve 2 tablespoons for topping)
  • ⅓ cup thickened cream (or cooking cream)
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves
  • ¼ cup fresh oregano leaves

For the Cheese and Topping

  • 120 grams fresh parmesan cheese (or Gruyere), grated
  • 350 grams fresh mozzarella, grated
  • ¼ cup pine nuts
  • ⅔ cup reserved pasta water (from salted pasta water before draining)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pasta: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve ⅔ cup of the pasta water before draining and set the drained pasta aside.
  2. Sauté Aromatics and Chicken: In a large oven-safe skillet or pan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced brown onion and crushed garlic, sautéing until fragrant and translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Season with salt and black pepper. Add the chicken breast chunks and cook until they are browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes.
  3. Add Tomatoes and Herbs: Stir in the cherry tomatoes, fresh basil leaves, and fresh oregano leaves. Cook for another 2-3 minutes until tomatoes start to soften.
  4. Create Pesto Cream Sauce: Stir in the pesto (except the 2 tablespoons reserved for topping) and the thickened cream. Mix well, then add the reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce if needed. Allow it to simmer for 2-3 minutes to combine all flavors.
  5. Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta into the skillet, gently folding it into the sauce mixture so the pasta is thoroughly coated.
  6. Add Cheese and Prepare for Baking: Sprinkle the grated parmesan cheese evenly over the pasta mixture and gently stir to combine. Then top the pasta with the grated mozzarella, the reserved 2 tablespoons of pesto for extra flavor, and scatter the pine nuts across the top.
  7. Bake the Pasta: Transfer the skillet or pour the pasta mixture into a baking dish if your pan is not oven-safe. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and golden brown on top.
  8. Rest and Serve: Remove the pasta bake from the oven and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before serving. This helps the flavors to settle and makes it easier to portion.

Notes

  • You can substitute chicken thighs for chicken breast for a juicier texture.
  • If using leftover cooked chicken, add it after combining pasta and sauce to avoid overcooking.
  • Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps bind the sauce and pasta perfectly.
  • Use freshly grated cheese for the best melt and flavor.
  • Adjust salt and pepper to taste since pesto may already contain salt.
  • Oven temperatures may vary; keep an eye on the cheese while baking to avoid burning.
  • Pine nuts add a lovely crunch and nutty flavor but can be omitted or replaced with walnuts.
  • Author: Madelynn
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 35 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Find it online: https://allyumcooks.com/pesto-pasta-bake-with-chicken-recipe/