Description
Homemade creamy chicken pesto pasta delivers Italian comfort straight to dinner tables. Simple ingredients blend into a quick, satisfying meal perfect for family gatherings or weeknight dining.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 300 grams (10.5 ounces) penne pasta
- 1/2 cup basil pesto
Dairy and Cream:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
Additional Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- Salt, to taste
- Pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
Instructions
- Prepare a pot of salted water and cook pasta until perfectly tender, about 8-10 minutes. Carefully extract and preserve 1/2 cup of starchy cooking liquid before draining.
- In a spacious skillet, warm olive oil over medium-high heat, then introduce diced chicken. Sear until exterior develops a golden-brown crust and interior reaches complete doneness, approximately 6-7 minutes.
- Transfer cooked chicken to a separate plate, maintaining skillet’s residual heat and flavorful remnants.
- Introduce minced garlic to the skillet, allowing aromatic notes to bloom for 30-45 seconds.
- Pour heavy cream and basil pesto into the skillet, whisking thoroughly to create a harmonious, creamy mixture.
- Incorporate grated Parmesan cheese and reserved pasta water, stirring continuously until sauce reaches a luxurious, slightly thickened consistency.
- Reunite pasta and chicken within the skillet, gently folding to ensure every morsel becomes lavishly coated with the vibrant pesto cream sauce.
- Delicately fold in cherry tomatoes, allowing them to warm and slightly soften for 1-2 minutes.
- Calibrate seasoning with salt and freshly cracked pepper, then embellish with fragrant basil leaves before serving immediately.
Notes
- Maximize pasta texture by cooking exactly to al dente, ensuring it doesn’t become mushy when mixed with the creamy sauce.
- Use high-quality pesto for a more vibrant and authentic flavor profile that elevates the entire dish.
- Choose boneless, skinless chicken breasts and slice them evenly to guarantee uniform cooking and tender meat throughout.
- For a lighter version, substitute heavy cream with Greek yogurt or half-and-half to reduce calories while maintaining a creamy consistency.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 520 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 28 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg