Description
Best Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta is a rich and comforting dish with tender chicken, pesto, and a creamy sauce. Ready in under 30 minutes, it’s perfect for busy weeknights.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz pasta (penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb or 450 g)
- 1 cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Grated Parmesan cheese, for serving (optional)
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and reserve ½ cup pasta water.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, cook for 6-7 minutes per side until cooked through. Let rest and slice thinly.
- In the same skillet, sauté garlic for 30 seconds, then add heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Stir in pesto and combine.
- Add cooked pasta to the skillet, toss to coat in the sauce. Add pasta water as needed to reach desired consistency. Stir in sliced chicken.
- Serve with grated Parmesan and fresh basil, if desired.
Notes
- For a lighter version, replace heavy cream with half-and-half or coconut cream.
- If you don’t have pesto, make a quick version by blending basil, olive oil, garlic, and nuts.
- Be sure to reserve pasta water; it helps adjust the sauce texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 700mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 28g
- Cholesterol: 75mg
Keywords: Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta, pesto pasta, creamy chicken pasta, quick pasta dish, easy pesto chicken pasta, family dinner recipe