Name: Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 16 oz. penne pasta, cooked al dente; 2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces; 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt, or to taste; 1/8 teaspoon pepper, or to taste; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 3 tablespoons butter, divided; 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 cup chicken broth; 2 cups heavy cream; 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated; 1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded; 7 oz. basil pesto

If you’re craving a comforting yet sophisticated one-pan meal, let me introduce you to my favorite Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe. It’s everything you want: tender chicken, al dente pasta, and a luscious pesto cream sauce all cooked right in one pan—making dinner a breeze and a joy.

Creamy Pesto Chicken - A round silver pan filled with creamy penne pasta mixed with browned chunks of chicken, evenly coated in a light green pesto sauce with visible specks of black pepper and herbs throughout. The pasta has a slightly shiny texture and is sprinkled with grated cheese and fresh green basil leaves, adding small pops of color. A wooden spoon rests inside the pan on the right side, partially under the pasta. The pan sits on a white marbled surface with a blurred block of cheese and green leaves visible in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I remember the first time I made this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe—I was blown away by how simple it was to pull together such rich flavors in under 30 minutes. Plus, clean-up is a snap because it’s basically all happening in one pan. Here’s why you’re going to adore it:

One-skillet magic: You cook the chicken, make the sauce, and toss the pasta all in one pan, so fewer dishes = less stress.
Rich, creamy pesto flavor: The pesto brightens the creamy sauce perfectly without getting bitter or overpowering.
Customizable and forgiving: Whether you want to add veggies, spice things up, or swap proteins, this recipe adjusts beautifully.
Comfort food meets elegant dinner: It’s casual enough for a weeknight but special enough to impress friends or family.

Creamy Pesto Chicken - A close-up view of a white bowl full of penne pasta that is coated in a creamy light yellow sauce with flecks of black pepper and herbs. Mixed in are small, browned pieces of cooked chicken and a few fresh green basil leaves scattered on top. The pasta looks soft and slightly shiny with a smooth texture, with some finely grated cheese sprinkled over it. A wooden spoon is lifting some pasta from the bowl, showing the sauce and chicken pieces clearly. The background is a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe relies on simple ingredients that each bring something special to the table. Here’s a quick peek at why these ingredients shine and some shopping tips so you’re set for success.

Creamy Pesto Chicken - Flat lay of fresh boneless skinless chicken breasts cut into bite-sized pieces showing smooth pale pink texture, bright green fresh basil leaves from the pesto, a small pile of shredded mozzarella cheese with soft white strands, freshly grated Parmesan cheese with fine powdery texture, whole garlic cloves with papery white skin, uncooked golden yellow penne pasta tubes, and a small bunch of Italian seasoning herbs with mixed green and brown dried leaves, all naturally arranged in a loose cluster with slight overlaps, placed on white marbled surface, photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Penne Pasta: Holds onto sauce beautifully with its ridges and tube shape; cooking al dente ensures it won't get mushy during mixing.
Butter and Olive Oil: The combo gives the chicken a golden sear and a buttery richness without burning.
Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts: Easy to cook evenly and slice into bite-sized pieces perfect for pasta.
Italian Seasoning, Onion Powder, Salt & Pepper: Simple seasonings that amplify the chicken’s flavor without fuss.
Garlic: Provides a fragrant backbone to the sauce—don’t skip it!
Chicken Broth: Adds savory depth and balances the creaminess.
Heavy Cream: The star of that velvety smooth sauce everyone loves.
Parmesan & Mozzarella Cheese: Parmesan brings umami and nuttiness, while mozzarella adds ooey-gooey meltiness.
Basil Pesto: The fresh, herby punch that wakes up this creamy dish; adding it at the end keeps the flavors vibrant.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Personally, I like to swap in whatever fresh veggies I have around or a bit of heat when I’m feeling adventurous. You can totally make it your own.

Vegetables: I love adding fresh baby spinach or cherry tomatoes right at the end—adds color, texture, and brightness.
Heat it up: A sprinkle of crushed red pepper flakes right into the sauce wakes up the creaminess with a little kick.
Make it richer: Sometimes I stir in a spoonful of cream cheese for extra indulgence—it makes the sauce even silkier.
Swap proteins: Try shrimp or turkey for a twist. Just adjust cooking times so you don’t overdo it.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe

Step 1: Cook Your Pasta Al Dente

Start with a big pot of salted boiling water and cook your penne pasta until it’s just al dente—firm to the bite but not crunchy. This texture is crucial because the pasta will cook a little more when mixed with the sauce. Drain and set aside so it’s ready for the skillet.

Step 2: Season and Sear Your Chicken

In a bowl, toss those bite-sized chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, onion powder, coarse sea salt, and pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons of butter with olive oil in a stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the chicken, being careful not to overcrowd the pan, and sear until it’s golden brown and cooked through, about 4-6 minutes. Transfer the chicken out and set it aside—it’s golden in flavor and ready for the creamy sauce finale.

Step 3: Build the Creamy Sauce

Turn heat down to medium and melt the remaining tablespoon of butter in the same skillet—you want to keep all that fond (those delicious browned bits) for flavor! Toss in minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant. Then pour in chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping up the bits stuck to the pan. Bring it to a gentle boil, then reduce to medium-low.

Step 4: Melt in the Cheeses

Add Parmesan cheese a handful at a time, stirring continuously so it melts smoothly without clumping. Follow up with shredded mozzarella, doing the same until you have a luscious, creamy sauce. Taste and add salt or pepper if you need to. Let it simmer gently for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens just right.

Step 5: Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Pesto

Finally, stir in the cooked pasta and the chicken along with its juices back into the skillet. Then gently fold in the basil pesto at the very end—this keeps its vibrant color and fresh flavor intact, which is key to the perfect creamy pesto chicken pasta in a skillet recipe. Give everything a good toss to coat and heat through. Serve immediately!

Top Tip

Having made this dish many times, I’ve learned a few golden rules that keep it tasting fresh and delicious every time.

Add Pesto Last: Never heat pesto for too long; add it at the end to preserve its bright flavor and vibrant green color.
Don’t Overcook Chicken: Cook chicken just until no longer pink to keep it juicy—overcooked chicken can ruin the texture.
Use Fresh Grated Cheese: Freshly grated Parmesan melts better and tastes so much better than pre-shredded.
Scrape Up Fond: Those browned bits on the skillet bottom add a ton of flavor—make sure to scrape and mix them into the sauce.

How to Serve Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe

Creamy Pesto Chicken - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

When I’m plating this dish, I love a simple sprinkle of freshly chopped basil or a few torn basil leaves on top—it amps up the fresh herbal note. A light dusting of extra Parmesan and a few cracks of black pepper always finish things nicely. Sometimes I even add a drizzle of good-quality olive oil for shine and richness.

Side Dishes

This creamy pesto chicken pasta pairs beautifully with a crisp green salad—think arugula or mixed greens with a tangy vinaigrette to cut through the richness. Garlic bread or crusty baguette is another staple on my table here, perfect for soaking up extra sauce. Roasted or steamed veggies like asparagus or zucchini are also lovely sides if you want to add some freshness and balance.

Creative Ways to Present

For special occasions, I’ve tried serving this creamy pesto chicken pasta in individual mini cast iron skillets—it’s a fun, rustic way to impress guests. Another idea is layering the pasta in shallow bowls with a swirl of extra pesto on top and some toasted pine nuts for texture contrast. It’s simple but looks restaurant-worthy!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover creamy pesto chicken pasta in an airtight container in the fridge, ideally within two hours of cooking. It keeps well for up to 3 days. When you reheat, keep an eye on the sauce—it might thicken up, so I usually loosen it with a splash of chicken broth or water.

Freezing

If you want to freeze it, I recommend leaving out the pesto and adding fresh pesto after reheating. The cream sauce can sometimes separate when frozen and thawed, so freezing is best if you don’t mind a slight change in texture.

Reheating

I reheat gently on the stovetop over low heat, stirring often. A splash of chicken broth or cream helps bring back the sauce’s silky consistency. Finally, stir in fresh pesto at the end to restore that vibrant flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other pasta shapes in this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe?

Absolutely! While penne works great because it holds sauce well, fusilli, rotini, or farfalle are excellent alternatives that also trap sauce nicely.

How do I prevent the pesto from turning bitter?

The key is not to cook pesto for too long. Add it at the very end, after turning off the heat or just before serving. This keeps its bright, fresh flavor and prevents it from turning bitter or brown.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes! Use gluten-free pasta in place of penne, and ensure your chicken broth and pesto are gluten-free. Most basic pesto and broths are naturally gluten-free but do check labels to be safe.

What if I don’t have a stainless steel skillet?

No worries! You can make this recipe using a heavy-bottomed non-stick or cast iron skillet. Just watch carefully to avoid burning the butter and to get a nice sear on the chicken.

Final Thoughts

This Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta in a Skillet Recipe has become one of my go-to meals when I want something that feels both indulgent and effortlessly achievable. It hits all the right notes—flavor-packed, creamy, and perfectly cozy. Once you try it, I bet it’ll become your favorite too. So grab your skillet, and let’s make some magic happen in your kitchen tonight!