Creamy chicken pesto pasta is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion. The combination of juicy chicken, rich and creamy sauce, and aromatic pesto creates a flavorful and satisfying meal that will leave your taste buds wanting more.
How To Make:
To make this delicious dish, start by cooking your pasta according to the package instructions. While the pasta is cooking, season your chicken with salt and pepper and sauté it in a large pan until it is cooked through and no longer pink in the middle. Remove the cooked chicken from the pan and place it aside.
Next, add some diced onions and garlic to the same pan and sauté them until they are soft and fragrant. Then, add some heavy cream, chicken broth, and pesto to the pan, and stir everything together until it is well combined. Let the sauce simmer for a few minutes to thicken and reduce.
Once the sauce has thickened, add the cooked pasta and chicken back to the pan, and stir everything together until it is well coated in the creamy pesto sauce. Finally, top the pasta with some grated Parmesan cheese and chopped fresh basil for a burst of flavor and color.
This creamy chicken pesto pasta is a versatile dish that can be served on its own or with a side salad or garlic bread. It is also easy to customize by adding your favorite vegetables such as roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, or spinach.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a quick and easy dinner idea that is both flavorful and satisfying, try making creamy chicken pesto pasta. This dish is sure to become a family favorite and is perfect for any occasion.
Tips and Variations:
Tips:
Use high-quality ingredients: Fresh basil, homemade pesto, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese will make a huge difference in the flavor of your dish.
Cook your chicken thoroughly: Make sure your chicken is fully cooked before adding it to your pasta to ensure it's safe to eat.
Don't overcook your pasta: Follow the cooking instructions on the package, and taste-test the pasta before draining it to make sure it's cooked to your liking.
Add extra vegetables: You can add vegetables like roasted red peppers, sun-dried tomatoes, or asparagus to the pasta to add more color and flavor.
Variations:
Swap the chicken for shrimp: Instead of chicken, you can use cooked shrimp in your pasta for a seafood twist.
Use different pasta shapes: Penne or fusilli work well in this recipe, but you can also use spaghetti, linguine, or any other pasta shape you like.
Make it vegetarian: Skip the chicken and add more vegetables to make a vegetarian version of this dish. You can add sliced mushrooms, diced zucchini, or chopped spinach to the pasta.
Use a different sauce: Instead of pesto, you can use alfredo sauce or tomato sauce to create a different flavor profile.
Add nuts: Toasted pine nuts, walnuts, or almonds can add a nice crunch to the dish and complement the pesto flavor.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz pasta (fusilli or penne work well)
- 2 chicken breasts, both boneless and skinless, diced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/4 cup pesto sauce
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Chopped fresh basil for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water according to package instructions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
A big skillet with medium heat is used to heat the olive oil. Add the chicken and heat for 5 to 7 minutes, or until it is thoroughly done.
Add pesto sauce to the skillet and stir to coat the chicken.
Pour in heavy cream and stir to combine. Simmer the sauce for 2 to 3 minutes, or until it begins to thicken.
Add grated Parmesan cheese to the skillet and stir until melted and combined.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Add the cooked pasta to the skillet and toss to coat with the sauce.
Serve hot with chopped fresh basil as a garnish if desired.