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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is a comforting and flavorful Italian-inspired dish featuring tender chicken, fresh basil pesto, and a rich creamy sauce tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. This quick and easy recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, making it ideal for busy weeknights. With a balanced combination of protein, healthy fats, and carbohydrates, it offers a satisfying meal that’s both elegant and simple to prepare.

Ingredients

Scale

Protein

  • 2 chicken breasts, boneless and skinless

Sauce

  • 1/2 cup basil pesto
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Pasta

  • 8 ounces pasta of your choice (fettuccine, penne, or farfalle recommended)

Seasonings and Garnish

  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Chicken: Season the chicken breasts generously with salt and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook for about 5-6 minutes per side until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the skillet and let rest before slicing into strips.
  2. Cook the Pasta: Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining the pasta.
  3. Make the Sauce: In the same skillet used for the chicken, add a little more olive oil if needed. Sauté the minced garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream and bring it to a gentle simmer. Stir in the basil pesto and grated Parmesan cheese, mixing until the sauce is smooth and creamy.
  4. Combine and Finish: Add the cooked pasta and sliced chicken to the sauce. Toss everything together to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a little at a time to reach the desired consistency. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper as needed.

Notes

  • Use fresh or high-quality store-bought pesto for the best flavor.
  • Do not overcook the chicken; cook just until no longer pink inside to keep it juicy.
  • Reserve pasta water to adjust the sauce texture and maintain a silky consistency.
  • Grate Parmesan cheese fresh to preserve flavor and ideal sauce texture.
  • Simmer the sauce gently and avoid boiling to prevent curdling.

Nutrition

Keywords: Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta, Italian pasta, chicken pasta recipe, quick dinner, creamy pesto sauce, weeknight meal, easy pasta dish

Find it online: https://elenaglam.com/creamy-chicken-pesto-pasta/