Weeknight • Pasta
Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta
This rich and flavorful pasta dish combines tender chicken with a vibrant, creamy pesto sauce.
- Prep
- 10 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Servings
- 4
- Level
- Weeknight
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If you're a pesto lover, you're in for a treat! This Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta takes a classic and elevates it with a luxuriously smooth sauce that clings perfectly to every strand of pasta. It's quick enough for a weeknight but feels like a special meal, bringing Italian-inspired comfort straight to your table.
Ingredients
Yield: 4 servings
Main
- 12 oz penne or fusilli pasta
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch cubes
- ½ cup prepared basil pesto
- ½ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
- ¼ cup reserved pasta water (if needed)
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Preparation
Step 1
Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve about 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
Step 2
While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet or pan over medium-high heat. Season chicken cubes with salt and pepper.
Step 3
Add chicken to the hot skillet and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until cooked through and golden brown. Remove chicken from the skillet and set aside.
Step 4
Reduce heat to medium. Add pesto and heavy cream to the skillet. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring, until the sauce slightly thickens.
Step 5
Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
Step 6
Add the cooked pasta and cooked chicken back into the skillet with the sauce. Toss everything together, ensuring the pasta and chicken are well coated.
Step 7
Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves, if desired.
Tips
- Don't skip reserving pasta water! It's key to creating a silky smooth sauce and helps bind everything together.
- For a lighter version, you can reduce the amount of heavy cream and use more reserved pasta water, or even a splash of milk.
- Spinach or sun-dried tomatoes can be added with the chicken for extra flavor and nutrients.
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