Description
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is a rich and satisfying dish combining tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a luscious cream sauce infused with basil pesto for a flavorful and comforting meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 12 oz pasta (penne or fettuccine)
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper and cook until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Pour in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in pesto and Parmesan cheese until well combined and sauce begins to thicken, about 3–4 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta and chicken back to the skillet. Toss to coat evenly in the sauce.
- Stir in cherry tomatoes, if using, and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes.
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.
Notes
- Use store-bought or homemade pesto.
- Substitute half-and-half for a lighter version of the sauce.
- Add spinach or sun-dried tomatoes for more texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 580
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 32g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 34g
- Cholesterol: 120mg