Description
A comforting and flavorful pasta dish featuring penne pasta, tender chicken, and a luscious creamy pesto sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz Penne pasta
- 1 lb Boneless chicken breasts or thighs
- 1 cup Heavy cream
- 1/2 cup Pesto
- 1/2 cup Freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- 3 cloves Garlic, minced
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Fresh basil, for garnish
- Olive oil, for cooking
Instructions
- Cook the pasta: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook your penne according to the package instructions until al dente. Reserve some pasta water before draining.
- Prepare the chicken: Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper. In a large skillet over medium heat, add a splash of olive oil and cook the chicken until golden brown, about 5-7 minutes per side. Remove and set aside.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, add a little more oil if needed and sauté minced garlic until fragrant. Pour in the heavy cream, stirring gently to combine. Add in the pesto, mixing until everything is well incorporated and the sauce starts to thicken.
- Combine everything: Slice the chicken and add it back to the skillet. Toss in the cooked penne and a splash of the reserved pasta water if your sauce needs thinning. Stir well, allowing everything to marry beautifully.
- Finish and serve: Sprinkle freshly grated Parmesan and garnish with basil before serving. The aroma will draw everyone to the table!
Notes
For a vegetarian option, substitute chicken with grilled shrimp or sautéed vegetables.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 480
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 25g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 90mg
Keywords: pasta, chicken, cream sauce, pesto, easy recipe