Description
Comforting creamy chicken pesto pasta delivers Italian-inspired flavors straight to your dinner table. Rich herbal notes blend seamlessly with tender chicken, creating a quick weeknight meal that satisfies deep hunger while promising delightful culinary memories.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cubed)
- 8 ounces pasta (penne or fettuccine)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup pesto sauce
Seasonings and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh basil (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare pasta in salted boiling water following package directions until perfectly tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and reserve.
- Heat olive oil in a spacious skillet over medium-high temperature. Introduce chicken pieces, seasoning with salt and pepper, and sear until golden brown and completely cooked through, roughly 7 minutes per side.
- Reduce heat to medium-low and introduce finely chopped garlic, allowing it to release its aromatic essence for approximately 45-60 seconds.
- Pour heavy cream and vibrant pesto sauce into the skillet, gently stirring to create a harmonious blend. Simmer for 2-3 minutes until the mixture slightly thickens and develops a rich, creamy consistency.
- Incorporate freshly grated Parmesan cheese, whisking continuously to ensure smooth integration with the sauce.
- Transfer cooked pasta directly into the skillet, carefully tossing to ensure each strand is luxuriously coated with the creamy pesto sauce.
- Optional: Scatter torn fresh basil leaves across the top for a burst of herbal freshness and visual appeal. Serve immediately while piping hot.
Notes
- Swap chicken for tofu or tempeh to create a vegetarian version that maintains the creamy, herbaceous flavor profile.
- Use gluten-free pasta to make this dish celiac-friendly without compromising taste or texture.
- Reduce heavy cream with Greek yogurt for a lighter, protein-packed alternative that keeps the sauce rich and smooth.
- Customize heat levels by adding red pepper flakes or using spicy pesto for those who enjoy a zesty kick.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 601 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 310 mg
- Fat: 37 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 23 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 36 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 38 g
- Cholesterol: 105 mg