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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta: A Quick and Flavorful Dinner Recipe

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta: A Quick and Flavorful Dinner Recipe
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This creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is made with tender chicken and pasta smothered in luscious cream and basil pesto sauce. Ready in 30 minutes, it’s a delicious Italian-inspired main course perfect for weeknights.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite sized pieces
  • Salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 small onion, chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • 12 ounces basil pesto
  • 1/2 cup half and half
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
  • 8 ounces pasta (your favorite short pasta)
  • Chopped basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook according to package directions. Reserve 1/2 cup cooking water, then drain.

2. Season chicken with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning. Toss with flour to coat.

3. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook chicken, stirring occasionally, for 5-7 minutes or until browned. Remove and set aside.

4. Add butter to the skillet; sauté onions until translucent, about 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute.

5. Deglaze skillet with chicken broth, scraping browned bits from the bottom. Bring to boil.

6. Stir in pesto, reduce heat. Add half and half and garlic powder. Simmer for 2-3 minutes.

7. Return chicken and juices to skillet; toss and simmer 3-4 minutes.

8. Stir in Parmesan cheese.

9. Add cooked pasta and toss gently. Add reserved cooking water if needed for creamier sauce.

10. Serve warm, garnished with chopped basil if desired.

Notes

• Avoid boiling the sauce to prevent separation.

• Serve pasta immediately after mixing to avoid dryness.

• Use additional pasta water to loosen sauce if pasta gets dry.

• Any short pasta shape works well in this recipe.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://glonfo.com/creamy-chicken-pesto-pasta-a-quick-and-flavorful-dinner-recipe/