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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe

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A quick and flavorful Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta recipe combining tender chicken pieces, al dente pasta, and a rich basil pesto cream sauce. Ready in 30 minutes, this comforting dish blends garlic, parmesan, and Italian seasoning for a satisfying meal perfect for any night of the week.

Ingredients

Pasta

  • 8 ounces dried pasta (penne preferred)
  • Salt for boiling water

Chicken

  • 1 pound chicken breasts, cut into ¾ - 1 inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning

Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¾ cup (180ml) heavy cream
  • ¼ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
  • ½ cup basil pesto

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: In a medium saucepan, bring salted water to a boil. Add the dried pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1 cup of the pasta water, then drain the pasta thoroughly.
  2. Cook the Chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, seasoning with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Cook until chicken is browned and cooked through, reaching an internal temperature of 165°F (74°C) for safety.
  3. Prepare the Sauce Base: Deglaze the skillet with a few tablespoons of water or reserved pasta water to loosen the browned bits (fond). Scrape these with a wooden spoon to incorporate flavor. Then melt the butter and sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
  4. Make the Creamy Pesto Sauce: Add the heavy cream to the skillet and whisk to combine. Stir in the freshly grated parmesan cheese and basil pesto, whisking continuously. Cook the sauce gently for 30 seconds to 1 minute until the parmesan is melted and the sauce is warmed through. Be careful not to overcook as the pesto can discolor. If the sauce is too thick, thin it with some reserved pasta water.
  5. Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Sauce: Add the drained pasta and cooked chicken back into the skillet with the pesto cream sauce. Gently toss everything together until well combined and heated through. Serve immediately for best flavor and texture.

Notes

  • Reserve pasta water before draining to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
  • Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure chicken is fully cooked and safe to eat.
  • Avoid overheating the pesto sauce to prevent discoloration.
  • You can substitute penne with other pasta types like fusilli or farfalle.
  • For a lighter version, use half-and-half instead of heavy cream, though the sauce will be less rich.

Find it online: https://recipefeastful.com/creamy-chicken-pesto-pasta-recipe/