Description
A quick and delicious creamy pesto chicken pasta that is perfect for weeknight dinners and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10.5 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
- 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced (about 10.5 ounces total)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup plus 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
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish.
- Cook the pasta: In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than the package directions; you want it just under al dente. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté the chicken: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the diced chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Cook until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes, then remove from heat.
- Prepare the sauce: In the same skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream and whole milk; bring to a gentle simmer for 2–3 minutes until it thickens slightly. Mix in the basil pesto and grated Parmesan, stirring until smooth.
- Combine: Return the cooked chicken and drained pasta to the skillet. Add spinach if desired and toss until everything is coated in the creamy sauce.
- Bake: Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish and sprinkle shredded mozzarella and extra Parmesan cheese over the top. Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Rest and serve: Allow the dish to sit for 5 minutes before diving in.
Notes
Feel free to substitute with gluten-free pasta or non-dairy milk if needed. For a creamier texture, consider adding an extra splash of cream or more pesto.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 500
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: pasta, chicken, pesto, creamy, easy dinner