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+ servings

Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

A comforting creamy pasta dish featuring sautéed chicken and a rich, velvety pesto sauce, perfect for weeknight dinners and gatherings.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 10.5 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
Chicken
  • 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced (about 10.5 ounces total)
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • to taste salt and freshly ground black pepper
Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 2 tablespoons heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 3.5 ounces baby spinach (optional, for extra nutrition)
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directs. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a skillet over medium-high heat, warm the olive oil and season the diced chicken with salt and pepper. Sauté until golden brown and cooked through, approximately 5–6 minutes. Remove them from the skillet.
Building the Sauce
  1. Using the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, then add the garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
  2. Incorporate the heavy cream and whole milk, allowing it to simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened. Mix in the basil pesto and Parmesan until you have a smooth sauce.
Combining and Baking
  1. Return the chicken and pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat evenly. Transfer to your prepared baking dish.
  2. Sprinkle shredded mozzarella and the remaining Parmesan on top.
  3. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes, until the cheese is golden and bubbling.
  4. Allow the dish to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 600kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 35gFat: 30gSaturated Fat: 18gSodium: 800mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4g

Notes

This dish can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge or frozen for later. Customize with seasonal veggies or tweak for dietary preferences.

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