Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta is a comforting and flavorful Italian-inspired dish that combines tender, juicy chicken pieces with a rich, velvety pesto sauce. The vibrant green basil pesto blends beautifully with cream, Parmesan cheese, and garlic to create a sauce that clings perfectly to every strand of pasta. This meal captures the freshness of homemade pesto while offering the heartiness of a classic creamy pasta dish.

It’s the perfect balance between light and indulgent — the pesto provides brightness and herbal depth, while the cream adds smoothness and body. This dish is a crowd-pleaser and a restaurant-quality meal that you can easily prepare at home in under 30 minutes.

Why I Love This Recipe

I absolutely love Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta because it’s both elegant and easy. It takes simple ingredients — chicken, basil, cream, garlic, and pasta — and turns them into something extraordinary. The aroma of garlic sautéing in olive oil and the vibrant green color of the pesto make cooking this dish a delightful experience.

I also love that it’s versatile: it can be a weeknight comfort food or a dish for special occasions. It’s filling, balanced, and incredibly satisfying without being too heavy. The combination of juicy chicken and rich pesto cream sauce makes it a go-to recipe whenever I want to impress guests or treat myself to a comforting meal.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

This dish is a must-try because:

• It’s a quick and easy weeknight meal ready in under 30 minutes.
• It combines the freshness of basil pesto with the luxury of a creamy sauce.
• It’s customizable — you can use your favorite pasta or add vegetables for extra flavor.
• It’s a dish that both kids and adults love.
• It brings the taste of Italy right to your kitchen with minimal effort.

Recipe Details

• Preparation Time: 10 minutes
• Cooking Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Servings: 4 servings
• Calories: Approximately 520 kcal per serving
• Course: Main Course
• Cuisine: Italian

Ingredients

For the Chicken:

• 2 chicken breasts (about 1 lb / 450 g), sliced into thin strips
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder

For the Pasta and Sauce:

• 12 oz (340 g) pasta (penne, fettuccine, or spaghetti)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup heavy cream (or half-and-half for a lighter version)
• ½ cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• ½ cup pasta water (reserved from boiling)
• Optional garnish: fresh basil leaves, cherry tomatoes, extra Parmesan

Cooking Directions

1. Cook the pasta: Boil a large pot of salted water and cook pasta according to package instructions. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water and drain the rest.
2. Cook the chicken: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes. Remove and set aside.
3. Make the creamy pesto sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant. Stir in heavy cream and pesto, mixing well. Simmer gently for 2–3 minutes.
4. Add cheese: Stir in Parmesan cheese until melted and the sauce thickens slightly.
5. Combine: Add cooked pasta and chicken back to the skillet. Toss well to coat, adding a splash of pasta water as needed for creaminess.
6. Serve: Garnish with fresh basil and extra Parmesan before serving.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method

Step 1: Prepare the Pasta
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente. Reserve ½ cup of pasta water before draining.

Step 2: Cook the Chicken
In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Season the chicken strips with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook for 5–6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to a plate and set aside.

Step 3: Prepare the Creamy Pesto Sauce
In the same skillet, melt butter and add minced garlic. Sauté for about 30 seconds until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Add pesto and stir well until combined.

Step 4: Add Parmesan Cheese
Stir in Parmesan cheese and cook until the sauce becomes creamy and slightly thickened. Adjust salt and pepper to taste.

Step 5: Combine Everything
Add the cooked pasta and chicken to the sauce. Toss until evenly coated. Add a little pasta water if needed to loosen the sauce.

Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Serve hot, topped with fresh basil leaves, extra Parmesan, or a few halved cherry tomatoes for color.

How to Serve

Serve Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta hot as a main course. It pairs perfectly with:

• Garlic bread or focaccia
• A side of Caesar salad or caprese salad
• A crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio

It’s an excellent meal for both casual dinners and special occasions.

Recipe Tips

• Cook pasta al dente: It will continue to cook slightly in the sauce, preventing it from becoming mushy.
• Don’t overheat pesto: Pesto loses its bright color and flavor if cooked at high temperatures — gently warm it instead.
• Use fresh Parmesan: It melts better and adds richer flavor.
• Reserve pasta water: It helps create a silky, cohesive sauce.
• Add greens: Spinach or kale can be added for extra nutrition and texture.

Variations

1. Vegetarian Version:
   Skip the chicken and add sautéed mushrooms, zucchini, or roasted bell peppers instead.
2. Pesto Shrimp Pasta:
   Replace chicken with shrimp for a seafood twist. Sauté shrimp in garlic butter and toss with the sauce.
3. Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto Pasta:
   Use sun-dried tomato pesto instead of basil pesto for a tangier, slightly smoky flavor.
4. Lighter Version:
   Use half-and-half instead of cream and reduce cheese for a lighter sauce.
5. Gluten-Free Version:
   Substitute gluten-free pasta without changing any other ingredients.

Freezing and Storage

Refrigeration:

• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
• Reheat gently in a skillet with a splash of milk or cream to restore the sauce’s creaminess.

Freezing:

• It’s best not to freeze this dish because cream sauces can separate.
• However, you can freeze cooked chicken and pesto separately for up to 2 months and combine fresh when ready to serve.

Special Equipment Needed

• Large pot for boiling pasta
• Large skillet or sauté pan
• Tongs or pasta fork
• Wooden spoon or spatula
• Grater for Parmesan cheese
• Measuring cups and spoons

Conclusion

Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta is a timeless, crowd-pleasing recipe that captures the heart of Italian comfort food. With tender chicken, aromatic pesto, and a silky cream sauce coating every bite of pasta, it’s indulgent yet fresh — the perfect balance of flavors and textures.

Whether you’re cooking for a weeknight family meal or entertaining guests, this dish delivers both ease and elegance. It’s rich, satisfying, and bursting with herby, garlicky goodness. Once you make it, it’s sure to become a regular in your kitchen rotation — a simple dish that tastes like a gourmet masterpiece.