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Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta: 5-Minute Marvel

Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta
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Enjoy a delicious and easy Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta. This recipe is perfect for a weeknight meal and will become a family favorite.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • 8 ounces pasta (penne, fettuccine, or rotini work well)
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup prepared pesto
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the pasta according to package directions. Drain, reserving about 1/2 cup of pasta water.
  2. While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  3. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook until browned and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
  4. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and cook for about 1 minute until fragrant.
  5. Stir in the pesto and heavy cream. Bring to a simmer and cook for 2-3 minutes, allowing the sauce to thicken slightly.
  6. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the sauce.
  7. Toss to coat the pasta and chicken evenly. If the sauce is too thick, add a little of the reserved pasta water until it reaches your desired consistency.
  8. Stir in the grated Parmesan cheese.
  9. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper if needed.
  10. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil leaves if desired.

Notes

  • For a richer sauce, you can add a tablespoon of butter along with the heavy cream.
  • If you don’t have heavy cream, half-and-half can be used, but the sauce may be thinner.
  • Feel free to add vegetables like cherry tomatoes, spinach, or broccoli to the pasta.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://flavorzine.com/creamy-pesto-chicken-pasta/