Description
A quick and easy weeknight dinner featuring creamy pesto sauce, tender chicken, and perfectly cooked pasta, ready in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces pasta (penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
- 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded or diced
- 1/2 cup pesto sauce (homemade or store-bought)
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt & pepper to taste
- Optional: red pepper flakes, cherry tomatoes, spinach, or toasted pine nuts for garnish
Instructions
- Bring a pot of water to a boil: Fill your pot with water, add a generous pinch of salt, and bring it to a rolling boil over high heat. Add 8 ounces of pasta and cook according to the package instructions until al dente (usually 8-10 minutes).
- Prepare the sauce: While the pasta is cooking, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1 minute, or until fragrant.
- Combine the cream and pesto: Lower the heat to medium-low and stir in 1 cup of heavy cream. Let it simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then, add 1/2 cup of pesto sauce and mix until fully combined.
- Add the chicken: Toss in 2 cups of cooked, shredded or diced chicken to the skillet. Stir until the chicken is coated in the creamy pesto sauce.
- Mix the pasta and sauce: Drain the cooked pasta and add it directly to the skillet. Toss everything together until the pasta is evenly coated with the sauce and the chicken is well distributed.
- Finish with Parmesan: Sprinkle 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta and stir until the cheese melts into the sauce, making it even creamier.
- Serve and garnish: Plate the pasta and chicken, then top with optional garnishes like red pepper flakes, cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach, or toasted pine nuts. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Reserve pasta water to thin out the sauce if needed. Use fresh Parmesan for the best flavor and avoid overheating the sauce to prevent cream separation.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 450
- Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Protein: 28
Keywords: pesto chicken pasta, creamy pasta, quick dinner, easy recipe, weeknight meal, Italian pasta, chicken recipe