Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta (Printable)

Tender chicken pieces tossed in a rich basil pesto cream sauce with al dente pasta, ready in 35 minutes.

# What goes in:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approximately 14 ounces), cut into bite-sized pieces
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Pasta

04 - 12 ounces penne or fettuccine pasta

→ Sauce

05 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
06 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
07 - 3/4 cup heavy cream
08 - 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
09 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

→ Garnish

10 - Fresh basil leaves, for serving
11 - Extra grated Parmesan, for serving

# Directions:

01 - Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.
02 - Season the chicken pieces evenly with salt and black pepper.
03 - In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.
04 - Reduce heat to medium. Add minced garlic to the same skillet and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant, being careful not to burn.
05 - Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2 minutes, then stir in the pesto and Parmesan cheese until smooth and fully combined.
06 - Return the cooked chicken to the skillet. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together, adding a splash of reserved pasta water if needed to achieve desired sauce consistency. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves and extra grated Parmesan.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The sauce comes together in minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
  • Leftovers actually taste better the next day, if you have any left
02 -
  • The pasta water is liquid gold, it contains starch that helps the sauce cling to every piece of pasta
  • Do not let the garlic brown, it will turn bitter and ruin the delicate balance of the sauce
03 -
  • Do not rinse the pasta after draining, the starch helps the sauce stick
  • Let the chicken pieces get a nice golden sear, do not rush this step

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