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Easy Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

A close-up serving of creamy pesto pasta tossed with chunks of chicken and sun-dried tomatoes on a white plate.
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This recipe shows you how to make a rich, restaurant-style creamy pesto sauce coating tender chicken and pasta, perfect for a quick weeknight dinner.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound pasta (fettuccine or penne recommended)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook pasta according to package directions. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  3. Add chicken to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  4. Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  6. Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the basil pesto and grated Parmesan cheese until smooth.
  7. Add the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, stirring until the sauce reaches your desired consistency. It should be thick and coat the back of a spoon.
  8. Return the cooked chicken and the drained pasta to the skillet. Add sun-dried tomatoes if using. Toss everything gently to coat evenly in the creamy pesto sauce.
  9. Serve immediately.

Notes

  • For an extra layer of flavor, use store-bought pesto that contains pine nuts and fresh basil.
  • If you prefer a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream, but the sauce will be less rich.
  • You can substitute shrimp or Italian sausage for the chicken.

Nutrition

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