1Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the penne pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente, then drain and set aside.
While the pasta is cooking, season the chicken breasts with salt and cook them in a skillet over medium heat with a little olive oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 7-8 minutes per side. Let them rest before slicing into strips.
For the pesto, combine the fresh basil leaves, grated Parmesan cheese, pine nuts, garlic cloves, and red pepper flakes in a food processor. Pulse while gradually adding the extra-virgin olive oil until the mixture becomes a smooth paste. Season with salt to taste.
In a large bowl, toss the cooked penne pasta with the prepared pesto sauce until evenly coated.
Serve the pesto-coated pasta with the sliced chicken breast on top. Optionally, garnish with additional Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of red pepper flakes.