Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Introduction

I love it so much that this creamy chicken pesto pasta is easily one of my top favorite go to dish! It is packed with flavor — the pesto! — and it is that perfect balance of comfort and ooh la la. This one is supposed to be luxurious, like the most delicious stew you could imagine, even if a few corners are cut in the interest of time. Made in my One Pot style is heaven, even better than the little packets of powder you buy from the supermarket. Perfect for a quick and effortless weeknight dish!

Italian Night Dinner Weeknight dinner

So on those days the kids have activities or appointments and I know they will only allow a half hour for dinner time, it feels amazing that my answer when they ask what is for dinner can be ready in just 30 minutes. Which is probably how I found myself craving this Italian-inspired dish one night, it being all indulgent and creamy yet not at all challenging to slap together. It only uses one pot, so cleanup is a breeze, and the flavors are so comforting it is sure to be a weeknight regular in your house. The creamy chicken together with the pesto taste awesome and you will realize in this pasta dish, a wonderful harmony.

30-Minute Pasta Meal

You certainly do not want to be stuck in the kitchen for hours after a long day. It is a quick and easy assembled meal with average kitchen staples you most likely already have on deck. It is an easy and delicious one that the family will thank you for later. Pesto is paired with chicken to provide a flavor, texture balance that leaves you wanting more of this one-bowl deliciousness! So would Pasta too, there is so much you can add to it, different types of veg or try with a different pasta.

Skillet Pasta Recipe

The skillet recipe is so versatile that you can modify and use it to make an unlimited number of new pasta dishes. I use this as my basis however you can play with recipes and make your faves. With or without them, a perfect dish for those of you who are more partial to indulging in your meals — and also for the rest of ya that love… umm LIGHT food[emoji]️😂. It tastes of home. The flavors are simply fantastic, and you will want to keep coming back for more!

Tips for Success

Good pots: using thick heavy pots that conduct the heat well. However, the quality of cookware can completely change that as thin pots will not conduct heat evenly leaving some parts overcooked while others are undercooked. The correct burner size- always use a burner that is the same size as your cookware so that your food will heat up better. Ithelpsfor better heating of the dish and correct cooking of the pasta. Simmer Gently: Keep the broth at a gentle simmer during cooking.

Otherwise the pasta could be mashed too. Stir: Stir the pasta every minute or so to make sure it is cooking evenly and doesn’t stick. COVER THE POT: If you are boiling pasta, cover the pot to trap steam and help ensure that pasta cooks all of the way through without drying out.

Ingredients

• 5 oz pasta of your choice 5 oz of uncooked pasta
• 1 tsp salt for boiling

For the chicken:

• 1/2 lb chicken breast butterflied
• 1/2 tsp Lawry’s Seasoned Salt
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1/8 tsp black pepper
• 1/8 tsp paprika
• 1 tbsp sour cream
• 1 tbsp butter
• 1 tbsp neutral oil

Pesto:

• 2 oz basil
• 2 tbsp pine nuts
• 2 garlic cloves germ removed
• salt to taste
• 1/2 oz parmigiano reggiano
• 1/4 oz pecorino romano
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Cream sauce:

• 2 tbsp butter
• 2 garlic cloves minced
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 oz parmigiano reggiano
• 1/4 cup pasta water
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 cup pesto

Optional:

• cherry tomatoes blanched and skinned
• arugula tossed in a little olive oil & balsamic vinegar

Instructions

For this fancy creamy chicken pesto pasta you will need to cut the chicken breast in 1 inch pieces. To a deep skillet, over medium heat melt butter. Add chicken and cook until just lightly browned on the outside. Add the garlic to the skillet and cook until fragrant while the chicken cooks. Add in sauté for one more minute. Next, drop in the uncooked pasta and pour in the chicken broth.

Remove the sausages and reduce skillet heat to medium-add 1/4 cup of water. Stir well to deglaze (get all those browned pieces from the bottom). Place a lid on top, turn up the heat to medium-high and bring the mixture to the boil. Give the pasta a quick stir to keep the noodles separate, then put the lid back on and reduce the heat to medium low. Simmer until the pasta is tender and most of the broth is absorbed, stirring every 2 minutes.

Then add chunks of cream cheese and pesto, stir constantly until the cream cheese has melted and is mixed in throughout the sauce. Stir in the grated Parmesan until combined. Add fresh spinach and sliced sun-dried tomatoes if desired, for more flavor. Toss for about 10 seconds until the spinach is just slightly wilted. Season with black pepper and a little crushed red pepper. Serve hot.

Seasoned Chicken To prepare seasoned chicken, coat the chicken breast with Lawry’s Seasoned Salt, pepper, paprika and garlic powder. Coat with a layer of sour cream and let marinate at room temperature for 30 minutes.

Take garlic cloves and some pine nuts, and crush them using your mortar and pestle to make a pesto. Grind in a circular motion with two or three twists and add basil along with a good pinch of coarse salt. Repeat with remaining basil. Throw in the Parmesan, pecorino and enough olive oil to bind, then pound it all together with the pestle. Add fresh lemon juice, and transfer it in an airtight container.

For the chicken breast, in a medium skillet, heat some neutral oil over medium-high heat. First, cook the chicken for 2-3 minutes on one side. Flip. Baste the chicken in that butter. Cover and lower heat… simmer for about 5 minutes. Check for doneness with a meat thermometer, it should read 160 ° F (71°C). Allow the chicken to rest for 5 minutes before cutting.

Boiled Pasta and tomatoes Bring a pot of salted water to a rolling boil for the pasta. Blanch the tomatoes for a minute and carefully remove their skin. Pasta : cook according to instructions on the package in boiling water.

Meanwhile, in the same pan used to cook the chicken, fry some butter and add in any juices from the pan. Fry some minced fresh garlic until aromatic. Slowly whisk in heavy cream and garlic powder, then cook until thickened. Sprinkle it with salt and add parmesan cheese. Stir in the pesto and a good squeeze of lemon juice, along with enough hot pasta water to make it saucy. Add to the cooked pasta and serve topped with sliced cooked chicken breast, cherry tomatoes (quartered) and baby rocket leaves.

Storing Tips

I mean for chicken pesto pasta you should eat it fresh most of the time right? But if you have any left over, they will keep in the fridge for a few days. Put the pasta into an air-tight container to keep it.

When you want to use your pasta, simply throw it back in a pan over low heat on the stove or zap it up in the microwave. When reheating, you’ll need a little water to loosen everything up since the pasta will have absorbed pretty much all the sauce by now. This should help fix the creaminess of the dish. Toss everything together to allow the pasta to heat through and serve.

Sides For Chicken Pesto Pasta

As a dinner option, Chicken Pesto Pasta makes a super tasty and satisfying meal. Try serving this with a Simple Side Salad. Camille You can easily add a Homemade Ranch Dressing, a Classic Caesar Salad for something different to help you make your salad anything but boring.

You can even serve breadsticks or garlic bread with it if you wantt that extra comfort feeling. And these little bites are a great way to get every last drop of the basil pesto pasta sauce. For a lower carb version that is lighter, try out my Creamy Pesto Chicken Recipe.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Basil Pesto Sauce is a harmonious marriage of herbs, garlic, and cheese that makes you say… yum! The flavor goes well with so many things. More recipes with this delicious flavor: Creamy Pesto Gnocchi Chicken Pesto Sandwich

Heavy cream — You definitely need the heavy cream to get that rich and thick chicken pasta. It contributes a lovely crunch and creaminess that takes the flavors to new heights. Pro tip: Just a bit of heavy cream creates a thick, rich sauce almost every time.

Super versatile recipe Learn how to adjust it for your mood, or for the items you have on hand. Whether that means you need to swap out the chicken for steak or shrimp, or chuck in those sun dried tomatoes with the frozen peas, this recipe is entirely customizable to be whatever you want it to be.

FAQs Around Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

1. What’s Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta?
Delicate funk Pesto Pasta is a succulent, comforting dish made with twisted pasta, tender funk, and a rich, delicate pesto sauce. The pesto sauce is generally made from fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan rubbish, and olive oil painting, connected with heavy cream to produce a smooth, satiny texture.

2. What type of pasta is stylish for Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta?
While you can exercise any type of pasta, fettuccine, penne, and farfalle are especially great elections. The sauce fleeces these shapes well, icing a scrumptious edge with every spoonful.

3. Can I exercise store- bought pesto for this dish?
Yes, you can exercise store- bought pesto to save time. still, making manual pesto is largely passed for a fresher, more vibrant flavor.However, look for one with minimum preservatives and natural constituents for the stylish taste, If you are utilizing store- bought pesto.

4. What type of funk should I exercise for Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta?
Boneless, veneer funk guts or funk shanks are ideal for this form. Chicken guts are slender, while shanks give further air and pulpiness. You can caff , sauté, orpan-sear the funk before splintering it and mingling it with the pasta.

5. Can I make this dish without cream?
Yes, you can make a lighter interpretation by substituting the heavy cream with half- and- half, milk, or indeed Greek yogurt for a delicate texture with smaller calories.However, coconut milk or cashew cream can also work well, If you prefer a dairy- free option.

6. How can I append further vegetables to Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta?
To append further veggies, call tossing in spinach, sunshine– dehydrated tomatoes, roasted bell peppers, or zucchini. These vegetables will round the pesto and append redundant color and nutrition to the dish.