Description
Follow these steps to make a rich and flavorful creamy chicken pesto pasta dish on the stovetop.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound pasta (fettuccine or penne recommended)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (optional)
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup of the starchy pasta water before draining. Set the drained pasta aside.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Add the chicken to the skillet and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set it aside.
- Reduce the heat to medium. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant. Do not let it burn.
- Pour in the chicken broth and scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the pan. Let it simmer for 1 minute.
- Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Cook for 2 minutes until the sauce begins to thicken slightly.
- Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the basil pesto, Parmesan cheese, and sun-dried tomatoes if you are using them. Mix until the cheese is melted and the sauce is smooth.
- Return the cooked chicken and the drained pasta to the skillet. Toss everything together to coat evenly.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add the reserved pasta water, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- For a brighter flavor, use fresh basil pesto instead of jarred.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a slightly lighter sauce, but the texture will be less rich.
- Add a handful of fresh spinach during the last minute of stirring for added greens.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 650
- Sugar: 4
- Sodium: 550
- Fat: 38
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Unsaturated Fat: 15
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
- Cholesterol: 120