Description
Creamy pesto chicken pasta is a comforting, herb-filled dish made with chicken, pesto, and a luxurious cream sauce. It’s a celebration of flavor and simplicity that feels both indulgent and nostalgic.
Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 12 oz penne or pasta of choice
- 1 cup basil pesto (homemade or high-quality jarred)
- 1¼ cup heavy cream (or half-and-half)
- ½ cup parmesan cheese, grated (or dairy-free alt)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter (or plant-based)
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Salt and black pepper to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes, lemon zest, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package directions. Reserve ½ cup pasta water, then drain.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté for 1 minute.
- Add cooked chicken and stir until warmed through.
- Pour in heavy cream, stirring until it begins to simmer—about 3 minutes.
- Stir in pesto and cheese. Simmer until creamy and slightly thickened.
- Add pasta to the skillet. Toss to combine. Add pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.
- Season with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes if desired.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil or more parmesan.
Notes
To make it dairy-free, substitute coconut cream and dairy-free cheese. For extra richness, stir in cream cheese. Great with spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, or roasted red peppers. Reheat gently with a splash of milk or broth.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 620
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 38g
- Saturated Fat: 16g
- Unsaturated Fat: 18g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 30g
- Cholesterol: 110mg
Keywords: pasta, pesto, chicken, creamy, weeknight, comfort food