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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is a quick and easy meal combining tender chicken breasts, a luscious creamy pesto sauce, and your choice of pasta. This vibrant Mediterranean-inspired dish offers comforting flavors and satisfying textures, perfect for weeknight dinners or impressing guests with minimal cleanup and maximal taste.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 medium chicken breasts, sliced into bite-sized pieces

Pasta

  • 8 ounces pasta (penne, fettuccine, rotini, or preferred type)

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for garnish
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Other Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • Salt, to taste
  • Black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Slice chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat and cook chicken for 6-8 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Remove from pan and set aside.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve about a cup of pasta water before draining.
  3. Make the Creamy Pesto Sauce: In the same pan used for chicken, add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in pesto and Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth. Add reserved pasta water gradually until desired sauce consistency is achieved.
  4. Combine All Ingredients: Return cooked chicken to the pan and mix with the sauce. Add the cooked pasta and toss until everything is evenly coated and heated through.
  5. Serve: Plate the pasta and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese or fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Use fresh pesto for the brightest flavor; store-bought works well in a pinch.
  • Do not overcook the pasta; keep it al dente for better texture.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency for smooth coating.
  • Cut chicken into uniform pieces to ensure even cooking.
  • Adjust the amount of cream gradually to suit your preferred sauce thickness.

Nutrition

Keywords: creamy chicken pesto pasta, pesto pasta, chicken pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, Mediterranean flavors

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