Description
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is the ultimate comfort food that combines tender chicken and al dente pasta tossed in a rich, velvety pesto sauce. This dish is perfect for cozy weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal effort. With fresh ingredients and simple steps, you can create a satisfying meal that bursts with flavor. Add a touch of cherry tomatoes for sweetness, and enjoy every creamy bite!
Ingredients
Scale
- 3–4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 8 oz pasta (farfalle or penne)
- 1 cup fresh basil pesto
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot, add pasta, and cook until al dente. Drain and reserve some pasta water.
- Sauté the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, cooking for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown. Remove, let rest, then slice.
- Create the Sauce: In the same skillet, warm heavy cream over medium-low heat and stir in pesto until combined.
- Combine: Add cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the sauce, mixing well to coat.
- Finish & Serve: Top with grated Parmesan cheese and halved cherry tomatoes if using. Serve hot.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 400g)
- Calories: 640
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 800mg
- Fat: 35g
- Saturated Fat: 18g
- Unsaturated Fat: 15g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 53g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 95mg