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Creamy One-Pot Pesto Chicken Pasta

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A quick and easy creamy pesto chicken pasta made in one pot, perfect for a comforting weeknight dinner with minimal cleanup.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces (thawed if frozen)
  • 8 oz penne or fusilli pasta
  • 1/2 cup jarred pesto (about 4 fl oz)
  • 1 cup heavy cream (8 fl oz) or half-and-half (can substitute full-fat coconut milk for dairy-free)
  • 2 cups chicken broth (16 fl oz), low sodium preferred
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese (about 1.75 oz), optional
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • Fresh basil leaves for garnish, optional

Instructions

  1. Pat the chicken pieces dry with paper towels and season lightly with salt and pepper.
  2. Heat olive oil in a large deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook until golden on all sides but not fully cooked through, about 4-5 minutes. Remove chicken and set aside.
  3. Lower heat to medium, add minced garlic to the pan, and stir for about 30 seconds until fragrant but not burnt.
  4. Pour in chicken broth and heavy cream. Add pasta all at once. Stir to combine and bring to a simmer, separating pasta pieces with a wooden spoon.
  5. Cover partially with a lid and cook pasta in the liquid for 12-15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender and most liquid is absorbed.
  6. Add chicken back to the skillet along with pesto. Stir thoroughly and cook another 3-4 minutes until chicken is fully cooked and sauce is creamy and well-coated. Taste and adjust seasoning.
  7. Remove from heat. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and fresh basil leaves if using. Let rest for 2 minutes before serving.

Notes

Use room-temperature chicken for even cooking and juiciness. Don’t crowd the pan when browning chicken. Stir pasta gently and sparingly to prevent sticking. Adjust liquid amounts depending on pasta type. Let the dish rest before serving to thicken the sauce. For dairy-free, substitute heavy cream with coconut milk and use dairy-free pesto. For gluten-free, use gluten-free pasta such as brown rice or chickpea pasta.

Nutrition

Keywords: one-pot, pesto chicken pasta, creamy pasta, easy dinner, weeknight meal, quick pasta, comfort food

Find it online: https://snappyspoon.com/creamy-one-pot-pesto-chicken-pasta-recipe-for-easy-weeknight-dinner/