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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe

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4.2 from 44 reviews

This chicken pesto pasta is a creamy, flavorful Italian-inspired dish perfect for a special date night or any time you crave comforting yet fresh flavors. Using quick-cooking chicken, penne pasta, and aromatic basil pesto, this recipe comes together in just 20 minutes to deliver a satisfying meal that’s both easy and impressive.

  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

Chicken

  • 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Kosher salt (to taste)
  • Black pepper (to taste)

Pasta

  • 8 ounces penne pasta, preferably with ridges
  • 1 tablespoon kosher salt (for pasta water)

Sauce and Garnish

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, plus more for serving if desired
  • 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes, drained if packed in oil
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto, homemade or quality store-bought, plus more if desired
  • 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • Handful of torn fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Season the chicken: In a bowl, add the chicken pieces then season with Italian seasoning, a generous pinch of kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss well to evenly coat all chicken pieces.
  2. Cook the pasta: Bring a medium pot of water to a rolling boil and salt it with about 1 tablespoon of kosher salt. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente, about 8 to 9 minutes.
  3. Cook the chicken: While the pasta cooks, heat 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, approximately 7 to 8 minutes.
  4. Drain the pasta: Once the pasta is cooked, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water then drain the pasta well.
  5. Combine ingredients: Reduce the heat to low on the skillet with the chicken. Add the cooked pasta, heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes. Stir vigorously to combine well and release the pasta starch, which will help thicken and coat the sauce. If the mixture seems dry, add reserved pasta water a couple of tablespoons at a time until the sauce is creamy and glossy.
  6. Add the pesto and finish: Remove the skillet from heat and stir in the basil pesto thoroughly. Sprinkle with additional parmesan cheese, red pepper flakes to your liking, and garnish with torn basil leaves. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Stir vigorously when combining the pasta with the creamy sauce to release starch and help thicken the sauce.
  • Use high-quality or homemade basil pesto for the best flavor impact.
  • You can easily adjust spice level by varying the amount of red pepper flakes.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
  • Serve with extra parmesan on the side for guests who want more cheese.
  • Author: Amelia
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Entree
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Italian

Find it online: https://recipesvibe.com/creamy-chicken-pesto-pasta-recipe/