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Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Indulgent Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta for Cozy Dinners

This Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta is a comforting dish that blends tender chicken with al dente pasta in a rich, velvety sauce.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian-American
Calories: 650
Ingredients Equipment Method Nutrition Notes

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 8 ounces Pasta (Penne or Rigatoni) Any sturdy short pasta can be substituted.
For the Chicken
  • 1 pound Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Diced turkey or plant-based alternative can be used.
For the Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Olive Oil Butter or ghee can be used instead.
  • 2 tablespoons Unsalted Butter Margarine can work in a pinch.
  • 3 cloves Garlic (Minced) Garlic powder is a quick substitute.
  • 1 cup Heavy Cream Half-and-half or non-dairy cream as alternatives.
  • 1 cup Whole Milk Almond or oat milk can be used for a dairy-free option.
  • 1 cup Basil Pesto Use homemade or store-bought.
For the Cheese and Extras
  • ½ cup Parmesan Cheese (Grated) Nutritional yeast or Pecorino Romano for non-dairy option.
  • 2 cups Baby Spinach (Optional) Feel free to omit if you prefer.
  • 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (Shredded) Any melty cheese can be swapped in.

Equipment

  • Large Pot
  • skillet
  • Baking Dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and grease a baking dish with olive oil.
  2. Bring salted water to a boil in a large pot. Cook the pasta for 2 minutes less than package instructions for al dente. Drain and set aside.
  3. In the same pot, heat olive oil and sauté the diced chicken for 5-6 minutes until golden brown. Set aside.
  4. In the skillet, reduce heat, add butter, and sauté minced garlic for 30 seconds.
  5. Pour in heavy cream and milk; simmer for 2-3 minutes until thick. Mix in pesto and Parmesan until smooth.
  6. Combine cooked chicken and drained pasta with the creamy sauce, adding spinach if using. Toss until well-coated.
  7. Transfer to the baking dish, top with mozzarella and Parmesan, and bake for 20-25 minutes until cheese is bubbly and golden.
  8. Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 70gProtein: 35gFat: 28gSaturated Fat: 15gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 15gCholesterol: 130mgSodium: 800mgPotassium: 680mgFiber: 4gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 4mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This dish is a warm, comforting meal ideal for cozy family dinners and can easily be prepared in advance.

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