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Easy Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Close-up of creamy pesto chicken pasta featuring fettuccine, chunks of seasoned chicken, and bright red cherry tomatoes.
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Make this delicious and quick creamy pesto chicken pasta for a satisfying weeknight dinner. It uses simple ingredients and comes together fast.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound dried pasta (fettuccine or penne work well)
  • 1.5 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 cup prepared basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
  • 1/4 cup reserved pasta water
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Before draining, reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water. Drain the pasta and set aside.
  2. While the pasta cooks, season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
  3. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 6-8 minutes. Remove the chicken from the skillet and set aside.
  4. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the same skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the basil pesto and heavy cream. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, stirring constantly.
  6. Add the reserved pasta water gradually, stirring until the sauce thickens slightly.
  7. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until the sauce is smooth.
  8. Return the cooked chicken and the halved cherry tomatoes to the skillet. Toss everything together until the chicken and tomatoes are coated in the sauce and heated through.
  9. Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss gently to combine everything evenly.
  10. Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.

Notes

  • For a lighter sauce, substitute half-and-half for the heavy cream.
  • If you prefer grilled chicken, cook the chicken breasts separately, dice them, and add them in step 6.
  • Add steamed broccoli florets or sun-dried tomatoes for extra vegetables.
  • This recipe is great for meal prep; store leftovers in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Add a splash of milk or water when reheating to restore creaminess.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://www.purecookingjoy.com/pesto-chicken-pasta-recipe/

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