Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta
A comforting and quick dish featuring tender chicken, flavorful basil pesto, and creamy cheeses, topped with gooey mozzarella.
Ingredients
Pasta and Chicken
- 10.5 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
- 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced (about 10.5 ounces total)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- to taste Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Cream Sauce
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Optional Ingredients
- 3.5 ounces baby spinach (optional, for extra nutrition)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese for topping
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9'x13' baking dish.
- In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta for 2 minutes less than package directions, ensuring it’s just under al dente. Drain the pasta and set aside.
- While the pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. Sauté until cooked through and lightly golden, about 5–6 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Stir in heavy cream and whole milk, bringing it to a gentle simmer for 2–3 minutes until slightly thickened.
- Mix in the basil pesto and grated Parmesan, stirring until smooth and melted.
- Return the cooked chicken, drained pasta, and spinach (if using) to the sauce. Toss everything together until thoroughly coated.
Baking
- Transfer the mixture into the prepared baking dish and sprinkle shredded mozzarella and extra Parmesan evenly over the top.
- Bake uncovered for 20–25 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
- Allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
This dish is best served hot, straight from the oven. For a beautiful presentation, try garnishing with fresh basil leaves or a sprinkle of extra Parmesan cheese. Pair it with a crisp green salad or garlic bread for a complete meal.