Description

This creamy pesto chicken pasta is a delicious and comforting meal made in a stainless steel skillet. Tender bite-sized chicken pieces are seared and simmered in a rich and cheesy cream sauce combined with basil pesto and perfectly cooked penne pasta. It’s a perfect dinner option that balances savory, creamy, and fresh herb flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

Pasta

16 oz. penne pasta, cooked al dente

Chicken & Seasonings

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

Cooking Fats & Oils

3 tablespoons butter, divided
1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauces & Cheese

1 cup chicken broth
2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
1 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
7 oz. basil pesto

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Instructions

Cook Pasta: Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the penne pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Season Chicken: In a bowl, season the bite-sized chicken pieces with Italian seasoning, onion powder, coarse sea salt, and pepper. Toss well to coat evenly.
Sear Chicken: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces and sear until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove chicken and place on a plate; set aside.
Sauté Garlic: Reduce heat to medium and melt the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter in the same skillet. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned.
Make Cream Sauce: Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream, scraping the bottom of the pan to loosen any browned bits. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
Add Cheeses: Lower the heat to medium-low and gradually add the Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses in small batches, stirring continuously until melted and smooth.
Simmer Sauce: Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally, until it thickens, approximately 8 minutes.
Combine Pasta, Chicken, and Pesto: Add the cooked penne pasta, the seared chicken with its juices, and the basil pesto to the skillet. Stir well until the pasta is thoroughly coated with the creamy pesto sauce.
Serve: Dish out the creamy pesto chicken pasta while hot and enjoy immediately.

Notes

Pesto is added at the end to preserve its fresh flavor and vibrant color; heating pesto too long causes bitterness and browning.
Add fresh vegetables like baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, or mushrooms to add freshness and bulk to the dish.
For an even richer sauce, incorporate a few tablespoons of cream cheese into the cream mixture.
If a bit of spice is desired, sprinkle crushed red pepper flakes while simmering the sauce.
Reheat leftovers with fresh pesto to restore flavor and aroma.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 620 kcal
Sugar: 2 g
Sodium: 590 mg
Fat: 38 g
Saturated Fat: 18 g
Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
Trans Fat: 0.5 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fiber: 3 g
Protein: 42 g
Cholesterol: 140 mg