Description

This Chicken Pesto Pasta features tender chicken, creamy sauce, and savory cheeses, all tossed with perfectly cooked pasta. It’s a quick and delicious meal that satisfies cravings for comfort food, making weeknight dinners hassle-free and enjoyable.

Ingredients

Scale

1 pound boneless skinless chicken breast, diced into bite-sized pieces
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
2 garlic cloves, minced
Salt and pepper to taste
1/2 pound penne pasta or farfalle, rotini
2 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup half and half
1/2 cup basil pesto, fresh or jarred
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 cup freshly shredded mozzarella cheese
Salt and pepper to taste
Fresh basil, chopped
Extra parmesan for garnish

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Cook the pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Reserve ¼ cup pasta water before draining, then drain the pasta and set aside.
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken in a single layer and season with Italian seasoning, garlic, salt, and pepper. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the chicken is cooked through and lightly golden, about 6-8 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook for about 1 minute while stirring constantly, until the mixture is light golden.
Slowly whisk in chicken broth and half and half. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook for 3-4 minutes while whisking often, until the sauce thickens.
Remove the pan from heat and stir in pesto. Gradually add parmesan and mozzarella, stirring well after each addition until fully melted and smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water.
Return the cooked chicken and pasta to the skillet. Toss to coat everything evenly and adjust seasoning to taste. Serve topped with fresh basil and extra parmesan.

Notes

For added flavor, consider using homemade basil pesto.
If you’re in a hurry, pre-cooked chicken can save time.
Feel free to customize the pasta shape to your preference.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 650
Sugar: 3g
Sodium: 750mg
Fat: 35g
Saturated Fat: 17g
Unsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 55g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 32g
Cholesterol: 110mg