Description
This Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta is a quick and comforting dish with tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a rich, garlicky pesto cream sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 12 oz (340g) pasta of your choice
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Cook chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Make sauce: In the same skillet, sauté garlic for 30 seconds until fragrant. Add heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add pesto: Stir in Parmesan cheese and pesto until smooth and creamy. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta and chicken to the sauce. Toss until everything is coated evenly.
- Serve: Garnish with fresh basil leaves and extra Parmesan if desired.
Notes
For extra flavor, add sun-dried tomatoes or roasted vegetables. Leftovers store well in the fridge for up to 2 days. Reheat gently to avoid curdling the sauce.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg
Keywords: pesto chicken pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, weeknight pasta