Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Tender chicken pieces in a rich basil pesto cream sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta for a comforting Italian-inspired dinner ready in 35 minutes.

# What 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 black pepper

→ Pasta

04 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta

→ Sauce

05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
08 - 1/2 cup basil pesto, store-bought or homemade
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Garnish

10 - Fresh basil leaves for serving
11 - Extra grated Parmesan for serving

# How to Make It:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining. Set aside.
02 - Season chicken pieces evenly with salt and black pepper.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add seasoned chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
04 - Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
05 - Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2 minutes, then stir in pesto and Parmesan cheese until sauce is smooth and fully combined.
06 - Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss everything together thoroughly. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to achieve desired consistency. Serve immediately garnished with fresh basil leaves and additional Parmesan cheese.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like something from a restaurant
  • The creamy pesto sauce clings perfectly to every bite of pasta
  • Leftovers reheat beautifully for tomorrow's lunch
02 -
  • That reserved pasta water is liquid gold it contains starch that helps bind the sauce to the pasta
  • Dont let the garlic burn or it will turn bitter, just 30 seconds is enough to release its fragrance
  • The sauce thickens quickly as it cools, so serve immediately or keep it warm over very low heat
03 -
  • Rotisserie chicken works beautifully if you want to skip the cooking step
  • Double the sauce recipe if you love extra saucy pasta like I do

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