Craving a restaurant-quality meal without the hassle? Get ready to transform your kitchen into a gourmet Italian paradise with this lightning-fast Basil Chicken Pasta that'll have your taste buds dancing and your dinner guests impressed! In just 20 minutes, you'll create a mouthwatering dish that looks like it took hours to prepare, packed with golden chicken, fragrant basil, and perfectly cooked pasta that screams comfort and elegance.
Prep Time: 5 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 20 mins
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 2 servings
Ingredients
- 200g pasta
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente, typically 8-10 minutes.
- While pasta is cooking, pat chicken breasts dry with paper towels. Season both sides generously with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the oil is shimmering, add chicken breasts and cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (74°C).
- Mince garlic cloves finely. Wash and pat fresh basil leaves dry, then roughly chop them.
- Remove chicken from skillet and let it rest for 2-3 minutes. Then slice the chicken into thin strips.
- Drain the cooked pasta, reserving about 1/4 cup of pasta water.
- In the same skillet used for chicken, add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add drained pasta to the skillet, tossing with garlic and a splash of reserved pasta water to create a light sauce.
- Add sliced chicken and chopped basil to the pasta. Gently toss everything together.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed.
- Serve immediately, garnishing with extra fresh basil leaves if desired.
Tips
- Pat chicken dry before seasoning to ensure a crispy, golden-brown exterior that locks in maximum flavor.
- Use fresh basil if possible - it makes a significant difference in the dish's aroma and taste.
- Reserve some pasta water before draining; its starchy goodness helps create a silky, clingy sauce.
- Don't overcook the chicken - use a meat thermometer to hit the perfect 165°F for juicy, tender meat.
- Sauté garlic briefly to prevent burning and release its aromatic oils without bitterness.
- Toss pasta and chicken together gently to keep the chicken slices intact and distribute flavors evenly.
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 447kcal
Carbohydrates: g
Protein: g
Fat: g
Saturated Fat: g
Cholesterol: 85mg
