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Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta: Comfort Food Made Easy

This Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta is a quick and comforting dish that combines tender chicken and a luscious basil pesto sauce.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 4 bowls
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 540

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces penne pasta or rigatoni, fusilli, ziti
For the Chicken
  • 2 cups diced boneless skinless chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken
For the Sauce
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 3 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup basil pesto homemade or store-bought
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
For the Extras
  • 2 cups baby spinach optional
  • 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup extra Parmesan cheese for topping

Equipment

  • large pot
  • Large Skillet
  • 9x13 inch baking dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 2 minutes less than package instructions. Drain.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil. Season chicken with salt and pepper, sauté for 5-6 minutes until fully cooked. Set aside.
  4. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Pour in heavy cream and whole milk, simmer until thickened.
  5. Stir in basil pesto and grated Parmesan until well combined and smooth.
  6. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, sautéed chicken, and spinach. Pour creamy pesto sauce over, tossing gently until coated.
  7. Transfer mixture to the greased baking dish. Top with shredded mozzarella and sprinkle extra Parmesan.
  8. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
  9. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving to allow layers to settle.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bowlCalories: 540kcalCarbohydrates: 45gProtein: 30gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 90mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 600mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 400mgIron: 2mg

Notes

For extra warmth, sprinkle red pepper flakes over the top before baking.

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