30 Minute Pesto Penne with Chicken and Cherry Tomatoes
A quick and vibrant Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring tender chicken, sweet cherry tomatoes, and creamy homemade pesto. Perfect for busy weeknights, this comfort food brings rustic flavors to your table in half an hour.
- Prep Time: 10
- Cook Time: 20
- Total Time: 30
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
24 oz penne pasta
2 boneless chicken breasts, sliced into strips
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
10 oz frozen green beans, thawed
1/2 cup olive oil
1 cup fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 tbsp toasted walnuts (substitute for pine nuts)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
Instructions
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil
Cook the penne pasta until al dente, about 9-11 minutes
While pasta cooks, pat chicken dry and season with salt and pepper
Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet, cook chicken strips until golden and cooked through, ~4-5 minutes
Remove chicken, add another tbsp olive oil, sauté garlic for 30 seconds
Toss cooked pasta, chicken, cherry tomatoes, and green beans in skillet with garlic oil
Notes
For quick prep, use pre-washed basil and halved cherry tomatoes
Add a squeeze of lemon juice for extra brightness
toast walnuts until fragrant for optimal flavor
Leftovers can be refrigerated for up to 3 days
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 2 cups)
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 380mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 85mg