Creamy Pesto Pasta Chicken (Printable Version)
Tender chicken, creamy pesto sauce, and pasta blend for a rich Italian-inspired meal.
# The Ingredients You'll Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
04 - 1 tablespoon olive oil
→ Pasta
05 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
→ Sauce
06 - 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
07 - 2 cloves garlic, minced
08 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
09 - 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
10 - 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
11 - 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
12 - Salt and pepper, to taste
→ To Serve
13 - Extra grated Parmesan cheese
14 - Fresh basil leaves
# Step-by-Step Instructions:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, drain pasta, and set aside.
02 - While pasta cooks, season chicken pieces with salt and pepper to ensure even flavor distribution.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5 to 6 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown and fully cooked. Transfer chicken to a plate and set aside.
04 - Reduce skillet heat to medium. Add unsalted butter and minced garlic to the pan, stirring for 1 minute until aromatic.
05 - Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Mix in basil pesto and Parmesan cheese, stirring continuously for 2 to 3 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
06 - Return the sautéed chicken to the pan and add drained pasta. Toss gently to coat with sauce. Gradually stir in reserved pasta water as needed to reach preferred sauce consistency.
07 - Taste sauce and adjust with additional salt, black pepper, and crushed red pepper flakes if desired.
08 - Serve promptly, garnished with extra grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil leaves.
# Additional Tips::
01 -
- Uses common ingredients most of us keep on hand
- Takes just over half an hour start to finish
- Rich, herby flavor in every bite with very little prep
- Easily adaptable if you want to swap proteins or lighten it up
02 -
- Packed with protein and plenty of flavor in every forkful
- Freezes well for meal prep or busy days
- Adaptable and kid approved for picky eaters
03 -
- Taste the sauce before adding more salt Parmesan and pesto can be quite salty on their own
- Do not rush the garlic step as burning it can overwhelm the other flavors
- Leftover sauce is great drizzled over roasted vegetables or as a dip for breadsticks