Description
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is a comforting, flavorful dish featuring tender chicken pieces, al dente pasta, and a rich, creamy pesto sauce. Perfect for a weeknight dinner or an easy meal prep option.
Ingredients
Scale
- 12 oz (340g) pasta (penne or fusilli works well)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- Fresh basil or parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add chicken, season with salt and pepper, and sauté until cooked through and lightly golden, about 6–8 minutes.
- Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Reduce heat to low and stir in the heavy cream and pesto. Let simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce is slightly thickened.
- Add the cooked pasta and Parmesan cheese to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly. Add cherry tomatoes if using.
- Cook for another 1–2 minutes until everything is heated through.
- Serve warm, garnished with fresh basil or parsley and additional Parmesan if desired.
Notes
- You can use rotisserie chicken or leftover cooked chicken to save time.
- Substitute half-and-half for a lighter sauce, or coconut cream for a dairy-free option.
- Great with spinach or sun-dried tomatoes mixed in for added texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 560
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 33g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: creamy pesto pasta, chicken pesto pasta, easy pasta dinner, pesto cream sauce, chicken pasta skillet