Description
Indulge in a creamy pesto chicken pasta recipe, an easy comfort food dinner with tender chicken, rich pesto sauce, and perfectly cooked pasta.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 chicken breasts cut into pieces
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 300 g pasta
- Water for boiling
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
- Fresh basil chopped
- Extra parmesan cheese
- Optional cherry tomatoes or spinach
Instructions
1. Boil salted water and cook pasta until al dente
2. Reserve pasta water then drain
3. Season chicken with salt pepper and garlic powder
4. Heat oil and cook chicken until golden and fully cooked
5. Remove chicken and set aside
6. Sauté garlic in same pan briefly
7. Add cream and warm gently
8. Stir in pesto until smooth
9. Add parmesan and black pepper and simmer
10. Return chicken to sauce and mix
11. Add pasta and toss to coat evenly
12. Add pasta water if needed for consistency
13. Serve with fresh basil and extra parmesan
Notes
- Use chicken thighs for more flavor
- Substitute cream for lighter options if preferred
- Use homemade or store bought pesto
- Add vegetables for extra nutrition
- Adjust pesto quantity for taste preference
- Store leftovers up to 2 days refrigerated
- Reheat gently with added liquid
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 520mg
- Fat: 30g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 32g
- Cholesterol: 110mg