Description
A restaurant-worthy yet simple pasta dish featuring juicy chicken, burst cherry tomatoes, vibrant basil pesto, and creamy burrata that melts into a silky, flavorful sauce.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces pasta (penne, rigatoni, or fettuccine)
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 ½ cups cherry or grape tomatoes
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup basil pesto
- 1 ball burrata cheese
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
- ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.
- Cook chicken for 6–8 minutes until golden and fully cooked through (internal temperature 165°F). Remove from skillet and set aside.
- In the same skillet, sauté garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Add cherry tomatoes and cook for 4–5 minutes until they soften and begin to burst.
- Return chicken to the skillet and stir in pesto.
- Add drained pasta and a splash of reserved pasta water. Toss until well coated and glossy. Adjust seasoning and add red pepper flakes if desired.
- Transfer pasta to a serving dish and place burrata on top. Gently break it open so the creamy center blends into the warm pasta.
- Garnish with fresh basil and grated Parmesan if desired before serving.
Notes
- Short pasta like penne or rigatoni holds the sauce best, but fettuccine works well for presentation.
- Substitute burrata with fresh mozzarella or ricotta if needed.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Reheat gently with a splash of water or broth to loosen the sauce.
- Use gluten-free pasta if needed for a gluten-free version.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 620 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 540 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 4 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 115 mg
