Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is a delectable dish where pasta and chicken are smothered in a rich, cheesy pesto sauce. This easy recipe is a flavorful meal that can be prepared in just 30 minutes!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American, Italian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Pasta:
- 1/2 pound Penne pasta
Chicken:
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pound Boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 cup Half and half or milk/cream
- 1/2 cup Freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 cup Freshly shredded Mozzarella
- 1/2 cup Basil pesto
- Fresh basil for garnish, if desired
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Cook pasta to al dente, drain, and set aside.
- Cook Chicken: In a skillet, cook garlic, Italian seasoning, and chicken until no longer pink. Set aside.
- Make Sauce: Melt butter, whisk in flour, then add chicken broth and half & half. Simmer until thickened.
- Combine: Stir in pesto and cheeses. Add pasta and chicken, mix well.
- Serve: Garnish with basil and pepper before serving.
Notes
- Optional add-ins: fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, yellow squash, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes.
- Mix cheese in quickly to avoid seizing. Add gradually to incorporate fully.
- Adjust cheese amount to preference. Store leftovers in the fridge or freezer.
- To reheat, thaw and warm on the stove with a bit of milk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 784kcal
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 1082mg
- Fat: 41g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: N/A
- Carbohydrates: 54g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 47g
- Cholesterol: 146mg
Find it online: https://lauracooks.com/creamy-chicken-pesto-pasta-recipe/
