Description
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is a delightful dish that combines tender chicken, vibrant basil pesto, and luscious cream with perfectly cooked pasta. This comforting meal is quick to prepare, making it ideal for busy weeknights or impressing guests at dinner parties. With every bite, you’ll experience a rich blend of flavors that will satisfy any palate.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1.5 lbs)
- 8 oz pasta (farfalle or penne)
- 1 cup fresh basil pesto
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot. Add pasta and cook until al dente according to package instructions.
- Sauté the Chicken: In a skillet over medium heat, heat olive oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper, then sauté until golden brown and cooked through (7-8 minutes per side). Remove and slice.
- Make the Sauce: Reduce heat slightly, add minced garlic to the skillet, and sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute). Stir in heavy cream and simmer for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Combine: Stir in basil pesto until well mixed. Add cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly.
- Serve: Plate the pasta with sliced chicken on top. Sprinkle generously with Parmesan cheese before serving.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 plate (about 400g)
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4g
- Sodium: 850mg
- Fat: 34g
- Saturated Fat: 19g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 55g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 36g
- Cholesterol: 150mg