Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
This Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta recipe is a winner. Rich, flavorful, and easy, its juicy chicken and pesto cream sauce are absolutely delicious.
Servings 8
Calories 284kcal
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 lb boneless skinless chicken breast
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3-4 cloves of garlic min
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Cook 1 pound of penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water. Then drain and set aside.
- Now slice 1 1/2 pounds of boneless skinless chicken breast into thin cutlets. Then generously season both sides with salt and pepper.
- Bring a skillet to medium-high heat, then pour in 3 tablespoons olive oil. Now cook the chicken on both sides until fully cooked through.
- Then remove the chicken and let it rest on a plate for about 5 minutes covered with foil. This will let it rest and re-absorb the juices back in. Then cut the chicken into cubes.
- In the same skillet, add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter and 3-4 minced garlic cloves. Stir over medium heat for about 20 seconds.
- Then pour in 1 cup of chicken broth and 1 1/2 cups heavy cream.
- Let it come to a simmer, then turn the heat off and add 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste), 1/2 cup basil pesto, and 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese. If you like more Basil pesto, you can definitely add more.
- Now add back the cubed chicken and cooked pasta. Stir to combine and serve warm.
Notes
Recipe VariationsÂ
- Substitute the protein- You can substitute the chicken breast with chicken thighs, grilled shrimp, Italian sausage, or even white beans. Any of these would be delicious in this recipe.
- Change the pasta- While I used penne, you could also enjoy Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta with bowtie, rotini, rigatoni, fusilli, or farfalle. Use your favorite kind.
- Make it dairy-free- If you want to avoid dairy, then use vegan butter, full-fat coconut milk, and nutritional yeast in place of the butter, cream, and cheese.
- Try it gluten-free- All you need to do to this creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is use a gluten-free penne pasta.
- Add more vegetables- This pasta dish would be delicious with cherry tomatoes, spinach, yellow squash, zucchini, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes.
Nutrition
Calories: 284kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 24g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 74mg | Sodium: 690mg | Potassium: 355mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 534IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 172mg | Iron: 1mg