Description
This Creamy Homemade Chicken Pesto Pasta is a delightful and easy-to-make dish that combines tender chicken breast, al dente pasta, and a rich, creamy pesto sauce. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this recipe uses simple ingredients like fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, and garlic to create an irresistible meal bursting with flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 medium Chicken Breasts (About 1 pound total)
- Salt and Pepper (To taste)
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (Extra virgin)
- 2 cloves Garlic (Minced)
Pasta and Sauce
- 12 ounces Pasta (Your choice, such as penne or fettuccine)
- 1 cup Pesto Sauce (Homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (For a creamy consistency)
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (Freshly grated)
Garnish
- 1 handful Fresh Basil (For garnish)
Instructions
- Cook Pasta: Begin by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it according to the package instructions until al dente, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Prep Chicken: While the pasta cooks, slice the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season them with salt and pepper to taste.
- Cook Chicken: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the chicken and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Add Heavy Cream: Lower the heat to medium and pour in the heavy cream, stirring to combine with the chicken and garlic.
- Add Pesto Sauce: Stir in the pesto sauce and allow the mixture to simmer for 3-4 minutes to blend flavors.
- Drain Pasta: Once pasta is cooked, reserve about 1 cup of pasta water, then drain the pasta in a colander.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy pesto sauce and chicken, tossing gently to combine. Use reserved pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Add Parmesan: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and stir until melted and evenly distributed.
- Adjust Seasoning: Remove the skillet from heat, taste, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if necessary.
- Garnish and Serve: Plate the creamy chicken pesto pasta and garnish with fresh basil leaves before serving.
Notes
- You can use any pasta shape you prefer, but penne or fettuccine work best with this creamy sauce.
- Reserve some pasta water to adjust the sauce consistency if it becomes too thick.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or milk, though the sauce will be less rich.
- To make this recipe vegetarian, omit chicken and add sautéed mushrooms or roasted vegetables instead.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
