Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta (Printable)
Tender chicken and pasta in rich basil pesto cream sauce
# What You Need:
→ Chicken
01 - 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 14 oz), cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Pasta
04 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
→ Sauce
05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
08 - 1/2 cup basil pesto, store-bought or homemade
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
→ Garnish
10 - Fresh basil leaves for serving
11 - Extra grated Parmesan for serving
# How To Make It:
01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining.
02 - Season the chicken pieces evenly with salt and black pepper.
03 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook for 5–7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from skillet and set aside.
04 - Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
05 - Pour in heavy cream and bring to a simmer. Cook for 2 minutes, then stir in pesto and Parmesan cheese until smooth and fully combined.
06 - Return cooked chicken to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss everything together. Add a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to achieve desired consistency. Serve immediately topped with fresh basil and extra Parmesan.
# Expert Suggestions:
01 -
- The creamy pesto sauce clings to every curve and crevice of the pasta, ensuring no bland bites exist
- It comes together in under 40 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
- Leftovers reheat beautifully for lunch the next day, if there are any
02 -
- Never rinse your pasta after draining or the sauce will slide right off instead of coating it
- Heavy cream can separate if boiled too vigorously, so keep it at a gentle simmer
- The sauce continues to thicken as it sits, so err on the side of slightly looser when tossing
03 -
- Warm your pasta bowls in the oven for five minutes before serving
- Toast some pine nuts and sprinkle them on top for incredible texture contrast