Savor the Flavor: A Journey through Pesto Chicken Pasta

Alright, let’s simplify this delicious Chicken Pesto Pasta recipe into a more casual and relatable language. Here we go:

Chicken Pesto Pasta: A Creamy Delight

We all love a good pasta dish, right? Well, this Chicken Pesto Pasta recipe will surely be your new favorite. It’s super creamy thanks to Parmesan cheese, mozzarella, and heavy cream. Plus, it has the fresh taste of basil pesto that gives every bite a burst of flavor. The best part? It’s quick and easy to make!

My kids can’t get enough of this pasta, and I bet yours will love it too. I’ve tried countless pasta recipes over the years, but we keep coming back to this one. It’s creamy, tasty, and very satisfying.

If you’re into pesto recipes, you might also want to try Baked Pesto Chicken or a Pesto Chicken Sandwich. And for a perfect sandwich companion, try the Caprese Sandwich with Pesto.

Whip Up Some Chicken Pesto Pasta

You’re going to love how simple this recipe is. And guess what? You don’t have to worry about too many side dishes. Just roast some root veggies or air-fry some mushrooms, and you’ve got yourself a complete meal. A fresh Caprese salad or spinach salad would also go well with the pasta.

Ready to get cooking? Let’s dive into the recipe.

Ingredients

Here’s what you need:

• Olive oil: It’s perfect for the sauce base.
• Chicken breasts: Cut them into bite-size pieces for easy eating.
• Onion: Use fresh onion or onion powder.
• Dried Italian seasoning: It pairs perfectly with the pesto.
• Kosher salt: Trust me, the quality of your salt matters.
• Butter: Used for sautéing the garlic.
• Garlic: It blends well with basil.
• Chicken Broth: This is what makes the sauce. You can also use reserved pasta water.
• Heavy Cream: It’s what makes the sauce rich and creamy.
• Parmesan: It’s best with this sauce.
• Mozzarella Cheese: It melts beautifully into the sauce.
• Basil Pesto: Homemade or store-bought is fine.
• Penne Pasta: I prefer it, but you can use any pasta you like.
• Salt and Pepper: For seasoning the chicken.

The Recipe

Here’s how you make it:

1. Brown the chicken: Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add in the chicken, onion powder, Italian seasoning, and salt. Stir and cook until the chicken is browned and cooked through. Then, set it aside.

2. Cook the garlic: In the same skillet, add the butter and garlic. Melt the butter and sauté the garlic until it’s fragrant.

3. Make the sauce: Add the chicken broth, heavy cream, Parmesan cheese, and mozzarella cheese to the skillet. Stir and cook over medium-high heat until the sauce starts to thicken.

4. Cook the pasta: While the sauce is thickening, boil the pasta according to the package instructions. Then, drain it and set it aside.

5. Combine everything: Once the sauce has thickened, add the cooked chicken, cooked pasta, and pesto sauce to the skillet. Stir everything until it’s warmed through.

6. Season and garnish: Add more salt and pepper if needed, and garnish with additional Parmesan cheese.

Make It Your Own

You can always switch things up. Try different types of pasta, or add ingredients like pine nuts and cherry tomatoes. You can even replace the chicken with sausage or turkey. The possibilities are endless!

Store It

Got leftovers? No problem! Store them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. It makes a great lunch the next day!

That’s it! Enjoy your delicious and creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta. Trust me, you’ll be making this recipe over and over again.