Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Creamy, cheesy, and packed with bold basil pesto flavor, this Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta is a comforting and easy dinner recipe. Tender chicken, rich cream sauce, and pasta come together for a restaurant-style meal ready in minutes.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20

Cook Time 30

Total Time 50

Course Dinner

Cuisine American, Italian

Servings 4

Calories 620 kcal

Ingredients

For the Pasta:

12 oz pasta penne, fettuccine, or rotini work best
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-size pieces
3 cloves garlic minced
1 cup heavy cream or half-and-half for lighter
½ cup basil pesto store-bought or homemade
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
½ cup cherry tomatoes halved (optional)
Salt and black pepper to taste
Red pepper flakes to taste

Optional Add-Ins:

1 cup baby spinach
½ cup sun-dried tomatoes
¼ cup toasted pine nuts

Instructions

1. Cook the Pasta

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook pasta according to package directions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water, then drain and set aside.

2. Cook the Chicken

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden and fully cooked (about 6–8 minutes). Remove chicken and set aside.

3. Sauté Garlic

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium and add minced garlic. Cook for 30 seconds until fragrant.

4. Make the Creamy Pesto Sauce

Stir in heavy cream and pesto. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes. Add Parmesan cheese and a splash of pasta water to loosen the sauce.

5. Combine Everything

Return chicken to the skillet and add cooked pasta. Toss to coat evenly, adding more pasta water if needed. Stir in cherry tomatoes or spinach if using.

6. Finish and Serve

Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Serve hot with extra Parmesan and fresh basil.

Video

Notes

```html

📝 Notes

Use fresh basil pesto for the best flavor, but jarred pesto works great for convenience.
Boneless, skinless chicken breast is ideal, but chicken thighs add extra juiciness.
Heavy cream creates the richest sauce; half-and-half can be used for a lighter version.
Add cherry tomatoes or spinach for extra color and nutrition.
Reserve some pasta water to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
Parmesan cheese enhances flavor—grate it fresh for the best taste.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Reheat gently with a splash of milk or cream to restore the creamy texture.

🍽️ Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

```

Keyword Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta