Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta
A quick and comforting creamy pesto chicken pasta with garlic and fresh basil that combines rich creaminess with fresh herbal notes for an easy homemade dinner.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 12 oz / 340 g), sliced into thin strips
- 8 oz (225 g) pasta (penne, fusilli, or farfalle recommended)
- ½ cup (120 ml) basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 4 cloves garlic, minced or roasted
- 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream
- A handful (10–12 leaves) fresh basil, torn
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (extra virgin recommended)
- ½ cup (50 g) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: fresh lemon juice, red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add 8 oz (225 g) pasta and cook according to package instructions until al dente (9-11 minutes). Reserve ½ cup (120 ml) pasta water before draining.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season sliced chicken breasts with salt and pepper. Cook chicken 3-4 minutes per side until golden and cooked through. Remove chicken and set aside.
- Reduce heat to medium. Add minced or roasted garlic to the skillet and cook for 1 minute until fragrant, avoiding burning.
- Stir in ½ cup (120 ml) pesto and 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream into the garlic. Simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce thickens slightly.
- Return chicken to the skillet. Add drained pasta and toss to coat evenly in the sauce. Add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time if sauce is too thick.
- Remove from heat. Stir in torn fresh basil leaves and ½ cup (50 g) grated Parmesan cheese. Season with additional salt, pepper, and a teaspoon of fresh lemon juice if desired.
- Serve immediately, garnished with extra Parmesan and basil if desired.
Notes
Roasting garlic instead of using raw gives a sweeter, mellow depth to the sauce. Do not overcook chicken strips to keep them juicy. Stir fresh basil in off the heat to preserve color and flavor. Use reserved pasta water to adjust sauce consistency. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1/4
- Calories: 550
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 450
- Fat: 20
- Saturated Fat: 9
- Carbohydrates: 45
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 35
Keywords: creamy pesto chicken pasta, easy dinner, garlic basil pasta, quick pasta recipe, weeknight dinner, comfort food