Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta (Printable Version)
Tender chicken and perfectly cooked pasta coated in a rich, creamy basil pesto sauce for restaurant-quality comfort food.
# What You'll Need:
→ Pasta & Proteins
01 - 12 oz penne or fettuccine pasta
02 - 2 large chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
→ Sauces & Dairy
03 - 2 tbsp olive oil
04 - 2 tbsp unsalted butter
05 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
06 - 1 cup heavy cream
07 - 1/3 cup basil pesto
08 - 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
→ Vegetables & Seasoning
09 - 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
10 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
11 - Fresh basil leaves, for garnish
# Preparation Steps:
01 - Cook pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.
02 - Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper, then sauté until golden and cooked through, approximately 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
03 - Reduce heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and sauté minced garlic for 1 minute until fragrant.
04 - Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in pesto and Parmesan cheese, mixing continuously until cheese melts completely and sauce achieves smooth consistency.
05 - Return chicken to the skillet. Add drained pasta and cherry tomatoes. Toss thoroughly to coat all components in creamy pesto sauce. Add reserved pasta water as needed to achieve desired consistency. Adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnished with additional Parmesan and fresh basil.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- The restaurant quality sauce comes together in under 10 minutes but tastes like it simmered all afternoon
- Leftovers reheat surprisingly well, making it perfect for meal prep or next day lunches
02 -
- The pasta water is genuinely important, it's starchy and salty and helps the sauce cling to every piece of pasta
- Don't let the cream come to a rolling boil or it might separate, gentle simmer is all you need
03 -
- Warm your serving bowls in the oven while cooking, it keeps the pasta hotter longer
- Grate extra Parmesan at the table because fresh cheese on top makes everything better