Description
Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta is a rich and flavorful dish combining tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a creamy basil pesto sauce. Quick, comforting, and perfect for an easy weeknight dinner.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 2 cups cooked pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rotini)
- 1 lb (450 g) chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- Optional: cherry tomatoes or spinach
- Optional garnish: fresh basil
Instructions
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through (about 6–8 minutes).
- Sauté garlic: Add garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Make sauce: Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in pesto and Parmesan cheese until smooth.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta and toss to coat. Add optional veggies if using.
- Serve: Season with salt and pepper and garnish with fresh basil.
Notes
For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream. Add sun-dried tomatoes or mushrooms for extra flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 portion
- Calories: 520
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: pesto chicken pasta, creamy pasta, chicken pasta, easy dinner
