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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta: 5 Steps to a Dreamy Dish


  • Author: Julie Lanoie
  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x
  • Diet: Gluten Free

Description

Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta with roasted tomatoes and flavorful pesto sauce.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 10 oz cherry tomatoes (sliced in half)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 cloves garlic (minced)
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1.5 lb chicken breast (2 skinless, boneless chicken breasts)
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • ¼ teaspoon paprika
  • 8 oz pasta (bow-tie, penne, or fusilli)
  • ¼ cup basil pesto
  • ½ cup heavy cream
  • ¼ cup pine nuts (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 400 F. Toss cherry tomatoes, sliced in half, with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and minced garlic. Spread in a casserole dish. Roast for about 20 minutes while you prepare the pasta.
  2. Prepare the chicken. Slice each chicken breast in half horizontally. Season them with salt, pepper, and paprika.
  3. Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil on medium-high heat in a large skillet until hot. Add chicken and cook for about 5 minutes per side until cooked through. Remove chicken to a plate and slice it thinly.
  4. Bring a pot of water to boil. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Drain.
  5. Add cooked and drained pasta, basil pesto, and cream to the same skillet used to sear chicken. Stir gently and bring to simmer to coat pasta with sauce.
  6. Top with sliced cooked chicken, roasted tomatoes, and pine nuts (optional). Season with extra salt and pepper or add crushed red pepper flakes, if desired.

Notes

  • Make basil pesto from scratch for more flavor.
  • Adjust the amount of basil pesto to your taste.
  • Add extra toppings like toasted pine nuts and Parmesan cheese.
  • Include more vegetables like fresh tomatoes or asparagus.
  • Add red pepper flakes for spiciness.
  • Taste the final dish and adjust seasonings as needed.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Course
  • Method: Stovetop and Oven
  • Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving
  • Calories: 764
  • Sugar: 4 g
  • Sodium: 511 mg
  • Fat: 42 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
  • Trans Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 49 g
  • Fiber: 3 g
  • Protein: 47 g
  • Cholesterol: 151 mg

Keywords: Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta, Chicken Pasta, Pesto Pasta, Italian Pasta Recipe