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Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

  • Author: EMMA
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6 servings 1x
  • Category: Dinner
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Italian

Description

Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta is a comforting baked pasta dish made with tender chicken, penne pasta, a silky basil pesto cream sauce, and a bubbling golden mozzarella and Parmesan topping.

Ingredients

Units Scale
Pasta and Chicken:
  • 12 oz penne or rigatoni pasta
  • 1.5 lbs boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized chunks
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
Creamy Pesto Sauce:
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 4 cloves garlic, freshly minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup basil pesto
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 cups baby spinach (optional)
Cheese Topping:
  • 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook pasta 2 minutes less than package instructions
  3. Drain pasta and set aside
  4. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat
  5. Season chicken with salt and pepper and sauté for 6–8 minutes until golden and cooked through
  6. Remove chicken and melt butter in the same skillet
  7. Add minced garlic and cook for 30 seconds until fragrant
  8. Pour in heavy cream and milk and simmer 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened
  9. Stir in pesto and Parmesan cheese until the sauce becomes smooth and creamy
  10. Add cooked pasta, chicken, and spinach and toss to coat in sauce
  11. Transfer mixture to the baking dish and spread evenly
  12. Top with mozzarella and extra Parmesan
  13. Bake for 20–25 minutes until cheese is melted and golden
  14. Rest for 5 minutes before serving

Equipment

Notes

Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Reheat in the oven at 350°F or microwave with a splash of milk to keep the sauce creamy. You can substitute chicken thighs for extra juiciness or add vegetables like broccoli, mushrooms, or sun-dried tomatoes.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 620
  • Sugar: 4g
  • Sodium: 720mg
  • Fat: 34g
  • Saturated Fat: 16g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 14g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 42g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 38g
  • Cholesterol: 120mg

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Find it online: https://emmaarecipes.com/creamy-pesto-chicken-pasta/