Indulgent Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta A Cozy Dinner Delight
Enjoy a rich and flavorful pasta dish featuring tender chicken, vibrant basil pesto, and creamy cheese for a comforting meal.
Ingredients
Pasta
- 12 ounces Penne or Rigatoni (cook just under al dente)
Chicken
- 1 pound Diced Chicken Breast (boneless and skinless)
Sautéing Oil
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (for sautéing the chicken)
Butter
- 3 tablespoons Unsalted Butter (avoid browning)
Garlic
- 3 cloves Minced Garlic (sauté until fragrant)
Cream and Milk
- 1 cup Heavy Cream (key ingredient for richness)
- 1 cup Whole Milk (balances the cream)
Pesto
- 1 1/2 cups Basil Pesto (use store-bought for convenience)
Cheese
- 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (grated, enhances flavor)
- 1 cup Mozzarella Cheese (shredded, adds a crispy layer)
Vegetables
- 2 cups Baby Spinach (for added nutrition)
Instructions
- Cook pasta until just under al dente, then drain and set aside.
- Sauté chicken in olive oil until cooked through, then remove and set aside.
- In the same pan, melt butter and sauté garlic until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream, milk, and pesto; cook until heated through. Add Parmesan and mozzarella cheeses, stirring until melted. Mix in spinach until wilted.
- Combine pasta and chicken with the sauce, toss to coat, and serve hot.
Notes
For extra flavor, sprinkle additional Parmesan on top before serving.