Description
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is a comfort food classic with a gourmet twist. It combines juicy chicken, perfectly cooked pasta, and a rich pesto-cream sauce topped with Parmesan. It’s a weeknight wonder that’s easy enough to whip up quickly and flavorful enough to feel like a treat.
Ingredients
2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
10 oz rotini or fusilli pasta
1/2 cup basil pesto
3/4 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (plus more for topping)
1 tbsp olive oil
Salt and black pepper to taste
2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
Instructions
- Season chicken with salt and pepper.
- Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Sear chicken until golden and cooked through. Remove and slice.
- Boil pasta in salted water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
- In the same skillet, lower heat and stir pesto with heavy cream. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes.
- Add cooked pasta and Parmesan to the sauce. Mix well. Add a bit of pasta water to loosen if needed.
- Fold in sliced chicken and toss until everything is coated and heated through.
- Serve with extra Parmesan and freshly ground pepper.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner