Print

Irresistible 30-Minute Pesto Broccoli Pasta with Crispy Chicken

pesto broccoli pasta
Print Recipe

Crispy chicken cutlets served with pesto broccoli pasta for a quick and delicious weeknight meal.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), sliced into cutlets
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 2 large eggs, beaten
  • 1 cup Italian-style breadcrumbs (or panko)
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • 3–4 tbsp olive oil (for pan-frying)
  • 12 oz spaghetti or bucatini
  • 3 cups broccoli florets
  • 1/2–3/4 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • 2–4 tbsp pasta water (to loosen sauce)
  • 1 tbsp olive oil (optional)
  • 2 tbsp chopped pistachios (for topping)
  • Optional: lemon wedge, extra Parmesan

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions. In the last 2–3 minutes, add broccoli florets to the same pot. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Season chicken cutlets with salt and pepper. Place flour in one bowl, beaten eggs in another, and breadcrumbs mixed with Parmesan + garlic powder in a third.
  3. Dredge each cutlet in flour, dip in egg, then coat well in breadcrumb mixture.
  4. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook cutlets 3–4 minutes per side until deeply golden and cooked through (165°F). Drain on a paper towel. Slice into strips.
  5. Return drained pasta + broccoli to the pot. Add pesto and a splash of reserved pasta water; toss until glossy and coated. Add more pasta water as needed.
  6. Plate pesto broccoli pasta, top with crispy chicken strips, and finish with chopped pistachios (and optional Parmesan/lemon).

Notes

  • Use homemade pesto for better flavor.
  • Adjust pasta water for desired sauce consistency.
  • Serve immediately for best texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: pesto broccoli pasta, chicken pesto pasta, breaded chicken dinner, weeknight chicken recipe, broccoli spaghetti, easy family pasta

Find it online: https://mealcooked.com/pesto-broccoli-pasta-with-crispy-chicken/