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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta features pasta and chicken coated in a cheesy pesto sauce, making it an easy, delicious meal ready in just 30 minutes!
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine American, Italian
Servings 4 servings
Calories 784 kcal

Equipment

  • large skillet
  • Pot

Ingredients
  

  • 0.5 pound Penne pasta about 2 ½ cups dry
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil
  • 2 cloves Garlic minced
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 pound Boneless skinless chicken breast cut into bite-sized chunks
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste
  • 2 tablespoons Butter
  • 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
  • 1 cup Chicken broth
  • 1 cup Half and half or all milk/cream
  • 0.5 cup Freshly grated Parmesan
  • 1 cup Freshly shredded Mozzarella
  • 0.5 cup Basil pesto or more, to taste
  • Fresh basil for garnish, if desired

Instructions
 

  • Boil pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  • Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add olive oil, then add minced garlic, Italian seasoning, and diced chicken breast. Season with salt and pepper and cook until chicken is no longer pink, stirring a couple of times to brown on all sides. Transfer chicken to a plate and discard any liquid in the skillet.
  • Return skillet to the stove over medium heat and melt butter. Whisk in the flour and cook until golden, about 3 minutes.
  • Whisk in chicken broth and half & half and bring to a boil. If it begins to boil too rapidly, turn the heat down a little. Simmer for about 5 minutes or until the sauce has reduced and thickened.
  • Remove from heat and stir in pesto and cheeses. Add the pasta and chicken and stir to coat. I recommend adding the cheese in small increments and mixing well with each addition, to avoid the mozzarella seizing and sticking together.
  • Garnish with fresh chopped basil and fresh cracked black pepper and serve immediately.

Notes

Optional add-ins: fresh spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, yellow squash, mushrooms, cherry tomatoes. Store leftovers in the fridge for up to 4 days, or up to 4 months in the freezer. To reheat, thaw completely in the fridge then I recommend reheating on the stove, at low heat, and adding a little bit of milk to help keep it from drying out.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 784kcalCarbohydrates: 54gProtein: 47gFat: 41gSaturated Fat: 17gCholesterol: 146mgSodium: 1082mgPotassium: 709mgFiber: 3gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 1345IUVitamin C: 6mgCalcium: 425mgIron: 2mg
Keyword Chicken Dish, Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta, Easy Meal, Pasta Recipe, pesto pasta, quick dinner
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