Creamy chicken pesto pasta is a rich and indulgent dish that combines tender chicken, fresh pesto, and a creamy sauce for a satisfying, flavorful meal. This dish is perfect for a cozy weeknight dinner, a special gathering, or when you want to treat yourself to a comforting bowl of pasta with a burst of bright, herby flavor.
To prepare creamy chicken pesto pasta, start by cooking your favorite pasta – whether it’s penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti – until al dente. While the pasta cooks, season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and a bit of olive oil, then cook them until golden brown and cooked through. The chicken is sliced into strips or chunks, ready to be mixed into the pasta.
The star of this dish is the pesto sauce, made from fresh basil, garlic, pine nuts, Parmesan cheese, and olive oil, all blended together until smooth. To create the creamy texture, a generous amount of heavy cream or half-and-half is added to the pesto, transforming it into a velvety sauce that coats the pasta beautifully. The pesto cream sauce is then tossed with the cooked pasta and chicken, ensuring that each bite is rich and flavorful.
For extra depth of flavor, you can also add sautéed mushrooms, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted vegetables, which complement the creamy pesto sauce and make the dish even more satisfying. A sprinkle of additional Parmesan cheese and a handful of fresh basil leaves on top make for a finishing touch that adds both flavor and visual appeal.
Creamy chicken pesto pasta is a versatile dish that can be customized to suit your tastes, whether you prefer a bit of heat from red pepper flakes, extra richness from a dollop of ricotta, or a touch of lemon zest to brighten up the flavors.
For drinks, a light white wine like Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc pairs wonderfully with this rich, creamy pasta. Alternatively, a crisp sparkling water or iced tea offers a refreshing contrast.
This creamy chicken pesto pasta is a perfect balance of herby, savory, and creamy, making it a dish that’s sure to please everyone at the table.
Ingredients
- 1 pound chicken breast cut into bite-sized pieces
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3/4 cup pesto store-bought or homemade
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 12 ounces pasta such as penne or fettuccine
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese plus extra for serving
- to taste salt
- to taste black pepper
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
- Reduce heat to low, stir in the pesto and heavy cream, and let it simmer for 2 minutes.
- Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat in the sauce.
- Stir in the Parmesan cheese, and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan cheese if desired.
Nutrition
I followed the recipe exactly and it taste like nothing special. I mean, what’s with chicken and pesto? I expected more flavor!!
Not bad, but I think I added too much salt. Next time I’ll be more careful. Also, couldn’t find fettuccine, so used spaghetti. 🤷♂️
Yum! So easy to make and my kids loved it! Doubled the parmesan for extra cheesiness. Will make it again, for sure!
This was a total hit at my family dinner! Rich and creamy, just the way I like my pasta. Definitely making it again!
Rich and creamy? Sounds like it has too much cream for me. I prefer a lighter sauce.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! This recipe really is a winner! Can’t wait to try it myself.
Not bad, but 3/4 cup pesto felt like a lot for my taste. I’ll cut it down next time or add more cream/cheese to balance.
I added sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor, and it was a game changer! So good. Also, more cheese please!
I don’t understand why you need heavy cream. Seems unnecessary.
Heavy cream is what makes it creamy! I think it’s a key ingredient for sure.
This was super easy to make! My family loved it!
The chicken was cooked perfectly, but I think the pesto could be stronger. I used homemade but it felt a bit bland.
Could you use chicken thighs instead? I got some in my fridge.
Yes, chicken thighs would work great! They’ll add more flavor and stay juicy. Enjoy your cooking!
I dunno if thighs are the best for this… the recipe calls for breasts for a reason, right?