Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
This easy Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta combines seasoned chicken and penne pasta with a rich homemade sauce made from heavy cream, Parmesan, garlic, and basil pesto. It's a flavorful and comforting weeknight dinner the whole family can enjoy.
Ingredients
For the Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 2 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tbsp olive oil
For the Pasta
- 12 ounces penne pasta
For the Creamy Pesto Sauce
- 2 tbsp salted butter
- 5 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 2 tbsp basil pesto
- 1 1/2 cups freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/2 tsp salt or to taste
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Cook the penne pasta according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
- For an even creamier sauce, reserve about 1/2 cup of pasta water before draining. You can use a splash later if you need to loosen the sauce.
- Dice the chicken into bite-sized pieces and add it to a mixing bowl.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and Italian seasoning. Toss until the chicken is evenly coated.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
- Add the seasoned chicken and cook for approximately 8–10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through to an internal temperature of 165°F.
- Transfer the cooked chicken to a clean bowl and set aside.
- Reduce the skillet to medium heat.
- Using the same skillet, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add the minced garlic and cook for 1–2 minutes, stirring frequently, until fragrant.
- Pour in the heavy cream and stir to combine.
- Bring the cream to a gentle simmer and cook for approximately 5 minutes, whisking frequently. The sauce should begin to thicken slightly.
- Stir in the basil pesto until completely incorporated.
- Gradually add the Parmesan cheese, stirring until the cheese has melted and the sauce is smooth and creamy.
- Taste the sauce and add up to 1/2 teaspoon salt, if needed.
- Return the cooked chicken to the skillet and stir to coat it in the creamy pesto sauce.
- Add the cooked penne pasta and gently toss everything together until the pasta and chicken are evenly coated.
- If the sauce becomes thicker than you'd like, add a small splash of reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately with additional Parmesan cheese and basil pesto, if desired.