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Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta: A Cozy Family Favorite

This Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta is a comforting dish that's easy to prepare and perfect for family dinners.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Resting Time 5 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 650

Ingredients
  

For the Pasta
  • 12 ounces Pasta penne, rigatoni, fusilli, or ziti
For the Chicken
  • 2 medium Boneless, skinless chicken breasts or rotisserie chicken
For the Sauce
  • 1 tablespoon Olive oil or avocado oil
  • 1 tablespoon Unsalted butter or margarine
  • 2 Garlic cloves, minced fresh garlic is best
  • 3/4 cup Heavy cream plus 2 tablespoons for extra richness
  • 1/2 cup Whole milk or low-fat milk
  • 1/2 cup Basil pesto
For the Cheese
  • 3/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese plus an additional 1/4 cup for topping
  • 1 cup Shredded mozzarella cheese
Optional Add-Ins
  • 3.5 ounces Baby spinach or sautéed mushrooms

Equipment

  • large pot
  • large skillet
  • Baking dish

Method
 

Step-by-Step Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish.
  2. In a large pot, bring salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until 2 minutes shy of package instructions. Drain and set aside.
  3. In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat and sauté the seasoned chicken for 5-6 minutes until fully cooked.
  4. In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat, add garlic, and sauté for about 30 seconds.
  5. Stir in heavy cream and whole milk; let simmer until slightly thickened, about 2-3 minutes.
  6. Add pesto and Parmesan cheese; stir until melted and smooth.
  7. Combine cooked pasta and sautéed chicken into the skillet, adding spinach if desired, and toss gently.
  8. Transfer the mixture to the baking dish. Top with mozzarella and extra Parmesan.
  9. Bake uncovered for 20-25 minutes until cheese is golden and bubbly.
  10. Let the dish rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 650kcalCarbohydrates: 60gProtein: 30gFat: 36gSaturated Fat: 20gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 100mgSodium: 700mgPotassium: 500mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 800IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 300mgIron: 2mg

Notes

This creamy pesto chicken pasta bake can be made ahead and stored in the fridge or freezer for convenient meal planning.

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