Pesto Pasta with Crispy Parmesan Chicken
A comforting dish of perfectly cooked pasta coated in vibrant green pesto, topped with golden, crispy chicken with a savory Parmesan crust.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking and Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
- Diet: Non-Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 8 oz pasta (your choice)
- 1 cup pesto sauce
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Olive oil
- Fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Mix together breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese in a bowl, and season with salt and pepper.
- Dredge each chicken breast in the breadcrumb mixture, pressing to coat thoroughly.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat and cook the breaded chicken for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 10-15 minutes until cooked through.
- Boil salted water in a pot and cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente, then drain.
- Stir the pesto sauce into the drained pasta until well coated.
- Plate the pesto pasta and top with the crispy chicken. Garnish with fresh basil, if desired.
Notes
For extra crispiness, ensure the oil is hot before cooking the chicken. You can also add vegetables or try different types of pesto for variety.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 600
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 900mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 60g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 42g
- Cholesterol: 80mg