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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta features tender sliced chicken breast combined with a luscious sauce made from pesto, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. This elegant yet simple dish is perfect for busy weeknights or impressing dinner guests without spending hours in the kitchen.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale
  • 12 ounces pasta, penne, fettuccine, or your favorite shape
  • 1 breast chicken, sliced in half horizontally
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1/2 onion, diced or sliced
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup pesto sauce, store-bought or homemade
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • to taste salt and black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, optional (for subtle heat)
  • 1/4 cup pasta water, reserved if needed (to loosen the sauce)
  • Fresh Parmesan cheese (for garnish)
  • Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, add the pasta, and cook according to package directions until al dente, typically 8-12 minutes. Reserve about 1/4 cup of pasta water before draining.
  2. Pat the chicken breast dry with paper towels, then season both sides generously with salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat until shimmering, about 1-2 minutes. Place the seasoned chicken in the pan and cook for 6-7 minutes on the first side until golden brown, then flip and cook for another 6-7 minutes until fully cooked through and the internal temperature reaches 165°F. Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside on a cutting board.
  4. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Once melted, add the diced onion and sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened and translucent, then add the minced garlic and cook for another 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Stir the pesto sauce into the onion and garlic mixture, coating everything evenly and cooking for about 1 minute. Pour in the heavy cream and stir until combined and smooth.
  6. Sprinkle in the Parmesan cheese and any optional chili flakes, stirring constantly until the sauce is creamy and cohesive, about 2-3 minutes. Taste and adjust salt and pepper as needed.
  7. Add the cooked pasta to the creamy sauce and toss everything together for 2-3 minutes until fully coated. If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to loosen it slightly.
  8. Divide the pasta among serving bowls or plates, top each portion with sliced chicken, and finish with a sprinkle of fresh Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh parsley.
  • Author: Adriana
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 600
  • Sugar: 2g
  • Sodium: 800mg
  • Fat: 30g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 60g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 30g
  • Cholesterol: 100mg