Description
A rich and flavorful Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta featuring tender chicken pieces simmered in a luscious blend of pesto, heavy cream, and Parmesan cheese, all tossed with perfectly cooked fettuccine or penne pasta. This quick and satisfying dish makes a great weeknight dinner or a comforting meal for any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken and Sauce
- 3-4 boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 1 lb), chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 3 cloves fresh garlic, minced
- 1 cup heavy cream
- ½ cup pesto sauce (store-bought or homemade)
- ½ cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
Pasta
- 8 oz fettuccine or penne pasta
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Chop the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and mince the garlic cloves finely to ensure they release maximum flavor when cooked.
- Cook Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook them for about 6-7 minutes until they turn golden brown and are cooked through.
- Sauté Garlic: Add the minced garlic to the skillet with the chicken and sauté for about one minute until the garlic becomes fragrant but not burnt, enhancing the flavor base of the dish.
- Add Cream and Pesto: Pour in the heavy cream and pesto sauce, stirring well to combine into a creamy, vibrant sauce. Let the mixture simmer gently for a few minutes to meld the flavors.
- Cook Pasta: Meanwhile, cook the fettuccine or penne pasta in boiling salted water according to the package instructions until al dente. Drain the pasta, reserving some pasta water to adjust sauce consistency if needed.
- Combine Pasta and Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet with the creamy pesto chicken sauce. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated. If the sauce is too thick, add some reserved pasta water gradually to reach the desired creaminess.
Notes
- Use low-sodium soy sauce to keep the sodium levels moderate.
- Reserve pasta water to help loosen the sauce if it gets too thick.
- You can substitute heavy cream with half-and-half for a lighter option, but the sauce will be less rich.
- Freshly grated Parmesan cheese adds better flavor than pre-grated.
- For a gluten-free version, use gluten-free pasta.
