Description
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is a delightful dish that combines tender chicken, vibrant basil, and rich cream for an unforgettable meal. Perfect for cozy gatherings or weeknight dinners, this recipe is both easy to make and impressively delicious. With a few simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you’ll have a satisfying meal that will leave your guests asking for seconds.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1.5 lbs)
- 1 cup fresh basil pesto
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 12 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
- ¾ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook pasta according to package instructions in salted water until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then cook for 6-7 minutes on each side until golden and cooked through. Remove from skillet.
- In the same skillet, sauté minced garlic until fragrant (about 30 seconds).
- Add heavy cream to the skillet and bring to a simmer while scraping up any bits from the bottom.
- Return cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the skillet, along with pesto. Mix until well-coated; add reserved pasta water gradually if needed.
- Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and creamy. Adjust seasoning as desired before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (approx. 400g)
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 115mg