Weeknight • Pasta
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
A wonderfully creamy and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken and vibrant pesto, perfect for any night.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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Pesto pasta just got a serious upgrade! This Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta takes a classic and makes it unbelievably rich and satisfying without adding a ton of extra steps. It's a weeknight hero that feels secretly gourmet.
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 1 lb pasta (e.g., penne, fusilli or rotini)
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1/2 yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- Salt and black pepper to taste
Preparation
Step 1
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces and cook until browned on all sides and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
Step 3
Add diced onion to the same skillet and cook until softened, about 3-4 minutes. Add minced garlic and cook for 1 minute more until fragrant.
Step 4
Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, bringing the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir in the pesto and Parmesan cheese until well combined and smooth.
Step 5
Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash or two of the reserved pasta water until desired consistency is reached.
Step 6
Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, topped with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Tips
- Use good quality store-bought pesto or make your own for the freshest flavor.
- Add a handful of fresh spinach at the end for extra greens and color.
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