This Super Lush and Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

Introduction

When you need a weeknight dinner that wows with flavor but doesn’t demand restaurant-level skills, this super lush and creamy pesto chicken pasta delivers. Succulent chicken, aromatic pesto, and a silky cream sauce come together over tender pasta for a meal that feels decadent yet is surprisingly easy to throw together. The vibrant basil and garlic notes in pesto mingle with creamy richness and hearty chicken bites, making this dish a certified crowd-pleaser—perfect for family dinners, date nights, or an elevated but effortless meal with friends.

Why You’ll Crave This Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

What sets this recipe apart is the balance of comforting creaminess and bright, herby flavors. Each forkful offers savoriness from the chicken, freshness from the pesto, and a velvety sauce that clings to every strand of pasta. You can even amp up the veggie quotient by tossing in tender green vegetables, making the dish even more satisfying and wholesome.

The Ultimate Creamy Pesto Sauce

To build the sauce, gentle simmering melds garlic, cream, and pesto into a luxurious blanket for the pasta. While homemade pesto is unbeatable, using a quality store-bought version will also yield delicious results. If you want to blitz up your own basil pesto with ease, a high-powered Ninja BL610 Professional 72 Oz Countertop Blender, Black ensures your sauce is silky smooth and bursting with fresh flavor.

The addition of parmesan cheese thickens the sauce and adds a rich, nutty finish. For those after a lighter option, you can swap heavy cream for half-and-half—just simmer it a bit longer to achieve the same creamy texture.

Tender Chicken, Perfectly Cooked Pasta

Searing chicken pieces ensures juicy results and delicious fond—those browned bits at the bottom of the pan that deepen the final flavor. To make dinner prep even speedier, consider using a handy Chicken Shredder Tool Twist for Kitchen, Elegant Black to quickly shred or chop your cooked chicken before tossing it with the pasta.

For the pasta, opt for shapes that catch creamy sauces well, such as penne, fusilli, or rigatoni. A reliable Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers, Set of 5 (3.2 Cup) are ideal for storing any leftovers, keeping your pasta fresh and ready for a savory lunch the next day.

Assembling and Serving Suggestions

Once the sauce and chicken are ready, toss everything with perfectly cooked pasta, letting the flavors marry together. For a quick veggie boost, use a Mueller Pro-Series 10-in-1, 8 Blade Vegetable Chopper to dice blistered tomatoes, steamed broccoli, or bell peppers—these vegetables add color and vibrant nutrition.

Garnish with ribbons of fresh basil, extra parmesan, and cracked black pepper for a restaurant-worthy presentation. Serve your creamy pesto chicken pasta in a stylish Bentgo Salad Container – 54 oz Bowl, Khaki Green if you’re packing up for work lunches or cozy picnics.

Nutritional Information and Serving Size

This recipe makes four generous servings. Each portion contains approximately 575–650 calories, depending on cream and pasta options—and that’s before any additional cheese garnishes. It’s a rewarding meal best enjoyed hot and fresh, and can be adjusted for lighter fare by swapping in leaner cream or whole-wheat pasta.

This Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta—A Weeknight Winner

This dish seamlessly combines convenience and flavor: tender chicken, a dreamy pesto cream sauce, and pasta that soaks up every drop. This recipe will have everyone craving seconds, and its versatility means you can tweak it based on what’s in your kitchen or seasonal produce finds.

Instructions

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to package directions until al dente. Drain, reserving ¼ cup pasta water.
2. Meanwhile, heat the SENSARTE Nonstick Frying Pan Skillet, 9.5 Inch over medium-high. Add olive oil, then the chicken. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté until browned and cooked through, about 4–6 minutes. Transfer to a plate.
3. In the same pan, add garlic and sauté until fragrant (30 seconds). Lower heat to medium, pour in heavy cream, and simmer 2–3 minutes.
4. Stir in the pesto and parmesan cheese, mixing until the cheese melts and the sauce is smooth. Add cherry tomatoes or broccoli here, if using, and cook until just tender.
5. Return the chicken and juices to the pan. Add the drained pasta and toss everything together for 1–2 minutes, adding reserved pasta water as needed to loosen the sauce.
6. Serve immediately, topped with more parmesan and fresh basil. Enjoy straight away, or pack into containers for meal prep.

Cook and Prep Times

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

This creamy pesto chicken pasta isn’t just weeknight-easy—it’s impossibly flavorful, memorable, and adaptable to your favorite add-ins. Give it a try and watch it become a regular star in your dinnertime lineup!