Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe
A delicious and creamy chicken pesto pasta featuring tender chicken breast, al dente penne, and a rich sauce made with basil pesto, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses. This comforting dish is perfect for a quick and satisfying dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Pasta and Chicken
- ½ pound Penne pasta (about 2 ½ cups dry)
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 Garlic cloves minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pound Boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks
- Salt and pepper to taste
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 cup Half and half or all milk/cream
- ½ cup Freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 cup Freshly shredded Mozzarella
- ½ cup Basil pesto or more, to taste
Garnish
- Fresh basil for garnish, if desired
Instructions
- Cook pasta: Boil penne pasta in salted water until al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Cook chicken: Heat a large skillet over medium heat, add olive oil, minced garlic, and Italian seasoning. Add the chicken chunks, season with salt and pepper, and cook until no longer pink and browned on all sides. Stir occasionally. Remove chicken to a plate and discard any liquid from the skillet.
- Make roux: Return the skillet to medium heat, melt butter, then whisk in flour. Cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture turns golden, about 3 minutes.
- Add liquids: Slowly whisk in chicken broth and half and half. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat slightly and simmer for 5 minutes until sauce thickens.
- Combine sauce and cheese: Remove skillet from heat. Stir in basil pesto and cheeses gradually, mixing well with each addition to prevent mozzarella from clumping or seizing.
- Toss pasta and chicken: Add cooked pasta and chicken into the sauce. Stir gently to coat everything evenly with the creamy pesto sauce.
- Garnish and serve: Sprinkle fresh chopped basil and freshly cracked black pepper on top if desired. Serve immediately for best flavor.
Notes
- Use half and half for a creamier sauce or milk for a lighter version.
- Adding cheese gradually helps keep the mozzarella smooth and prevents clumping.
- Reserve a little pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Fresh basil garnish adds a pop of color and fresh flavor, but can be omitted.
- For gluten free, substitute regular pasta and flour with gluten free versions.
Find it online: https://mealsbykate.com/creamy-chicken-pesto-pasta-recipe/
