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Pesto Chicken Pasta with Goat Cheese

A totally satisfying pasta with chicken, fresh tomatoes and pesto.
Course Appetizer, Main Course, pasta
Cuisine American, Canadian, Italian
Keyword chicken, chicken breast, garlic, onion, pasta, pesto, tomato
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings 2 People

Ingredients

  • 200 grams dry pasta your choice!
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil divided
  • 2 small chicken breasts cut into bite-sized cubes
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • ½ red onion sliced
  • 250 grams cherry or grape tomatoes halved
  • ½ cup parmesan cheese grated
  • ¼ cup pesto
  • 100 grams goat cheese crumbled, plus more for serving
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Cook pasta according to the directions on the package. Drain, reserving a ½ cup of the starchy pasta water.
  • In a large skillet or pot, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium heat. Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Add chicken to skillet and stir occasionally until it is cooked through (7-10 mins). Set cooked chicken aside on a plate.
  • Add remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil to the same skillet. Add red onion and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
  • Add the garlic and cook for another 2 minutes or until it is fragrant. Be careful not to let it burn.
  • Add the tomatoes and cook until they are soft, about 5 minutes.
  • Pour in the ½ cup of starchy pasta water, add the parmesan cheese and stir until the cheese has melted.
  • Remove skillet from heat and add the pesto. Stir to combine. Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
  • Add cooked chicken and cooked pasta to the sauce and toss to coat the noodles. Sprinkle the goat cheese over the pasta and carefully stir to incorporate. You still want some clumps of cheese in the sauce so be very gentle!
  • Serve immediately with more goat cheese and fresh basil (optional).