Description
This Easy Chicken Asparagus Pasta is a vibrant and comforting weeknight meal featuring juicy seasoned chicken, tender-crisp asparagus, and sweet cherry tomatoes all tossed in a flavorful basil pesto. Ready in just 5 simple steps, this dish offers a delicious and nutritious dinner option that your family will love again and again.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast, thinly sliced
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon red chili flakes
- 1 teaspoon Kosher Salt, divided
- ½ teaspoon Freshly Ground Black Pepper, divided
Vegetables
- 1 lb Asparagus, ends trimmed and cut into 1 ½ -inch pieces
- 2 Cups Cherry or Grape Tomatoes
- 3 Garlic Cloves, minced
Others
- ¼ Cup Basil Pesto
- 3 tablespoon Olive Oil, divided
- 12 oz Dry Fettuccine or Linguine
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dry fettuccine or linguine and cook according to the package instructions until al dente. Once cooked, drain the pasta, reserving 1 cup of the cooking water, then set the pasta aside.
- Season and Cook the Chicken: In a bowl, season the thinly sliced chicken breast with garlic powder, red chili flakes, half of the kosher salt, and half of the black pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. When hot, add the chicken pieces in a single layer and sear for about 3 minutes on each side until fully cooked, working in batches if necessary. Transfer cooked chicken to a plate and set aside.
- Sauté the Vegetables: Using the same skillet, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the asparagus pieces, cherry tomatoes, and minced garlic. Sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring frequently, until the asparagus is tender but still crisp and the tomatoes begin to soften.
- Create the Sauce: Pour in the reserved 1 cup of pasta cooking water into the skillet with the vegetables. Bring to a gentle simmer, allowing the flavors to meld and the liquid to reduce slightly.
- Toss and Serve: Add the cooked pasta, basil pesto, and sliced chicken back into the skillet. Toss everything together thoroughly until the pasta is evenly coated with the pesto sauce and ingredients are well combined. Remove from heat and serve immediately for a fresh, flavorful meal.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to help the pesto sauce coat the noodles smoothly.
- Cook the chicken in batches if your skillet is not large enough to avoid overcrowding and ensure even searing.
- For a spicier dish, increase the amount of red chili flakes to your taste.
- You can substitute basil pesto with homemade pesto or store-bought varieties based on preference and convenience.
- To keep asparagus crisp, avoid overcooking during sautéing; it should retain a slight bite.
