Pesto Chicken Pasta

Ingredients

• 1½ lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 12 oz pasta
• ½ cup pesto
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes (optional)
• ¼ cup Parmesan cheese (optional)
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Steps

1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
2. While pasta cooks, dice chicken breasts into 1-inch pieces. Season with salt and pepper.
3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
4. Add cooked pasta to the skillet with the chicken. Stir in pesto and cherry tomatoes (if using).
5. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to create a saucier consistency.
6. Toss everything together until well combined and heated through.
7. Serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese if desired.