Pesto Chicken Pasta with Harissa — whole-grain spaghetti with tomato basil sauce, parmesan and fresh basil leaves

Pesto Chicken Pasta with Harissa

Pesto Chicken Pasta — a real, well-tested recipe built around quality ingredients you can find at any grocery store. Bright flavors, balanced macros, and easy enough for a busy weeknight. A spoonful of harissa adds smoky North-African heat.

15 min
Prep
30 min
Cook
4
Servings
468
cal
30g
protein
27g
carbs
25g
fat

Ingredients

  • 12 ozwhole-grain pasta
  • 1 lbchicken breast
  • 1/2 cupbasil pesto
  • 1 cupcherry tomatoes
  • 1/3 cupParmesan
  • 2 tbspharissa

Instructions

  1. 1

    Preheat your oven to 400°F or set a large skillet over medium-high heat.

  2. 2

    Season the whole-grain pasta generously with salt, pepper and the listed spices.

  3. 3

    Prep the cherry tomatoes; cut into bite-sized pieces.

  4. 4

    Cook the main protein or starch through, 12–18 minutes depending on size.

  5. 5

    Combine with the sauce or remaining ingredients and simmer to meld flavors.

  6. 6

    Serve hot, garnished as desired with fresh herbs or a squeeze of citrus.

  7. 7

    Stir 2 tablespoons of harissa into the sauce or vegetables before serving.

Cook's tip

Make a double batch — leftovers keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 4 days.