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Creamy chicken pasta with pesto served in a white bowl garnished with basil

Creamy Chicken Pasta With Pesto

A quick and comforting dish featuring creamy penne pasta swirled in rich pesto, tender chicken, and bursting with vibrant flavors, perfect for a satisfying family meal.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Dinner, Main Course
Cuisine: Italian
Calories: 600
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Pasta
  • 10 oz 10 oz dry penne pasta
Chicken
  • 1 lb 1 lb chicken breast Cut horizontally for even cooking.
  • 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon olive oil For cooking chicken.
  • 1 teaspoon 1 teaspoon salt For seasoning.
  • ½ teaspoon ½ teaspoon pepper To taste.
Sauce
  • 2 cloves 2 cloves garlic Finely diced.
  • ½ teaspoon ½ teaspoon lemon zest
  • ½ cup ½ cup chicken stock
  • ⅓ cup ⅓ cup pesto Divided.
  • ½ cup ½ cup light cream About 3 oz / 100 grams.
  • 1 tablespoon 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • ⅓ cup ⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Toppings
  • 1 pinch A pinch of salt To taste.
  • Cherry tomatoes, halved For garnishing.
  • Extra Parmesan cheese For serving.

Method
 

Cooking Pasta
  1. Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and cook the penne according to package directions until al dente. Drain and set aside.
Preparing Chicken
  1. Take the chicken breasts and cut them horizontally to ensure even cooking.
  2. Season both sides generously with salt and pepper.
Searing Chicken
  1. In a large sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over high heat.
  2. Add the chicken, then reduce the heat to medium-high. Cook for about 5 minutes on each side until golden brown.
Making Sauce
  1. With the chicken resting, lower the heat to medium. Add 1 teaspoon of olive oil, garlic, and lemon zest, and sauté until fragrant.
  2. Pour in chicken stock, half of the pesto, light cream, lemon juice, and Parmesan. Simmer for 4-5 minutes, stirring until thickened.
Combining & Serving
  1. Slice the rested chicken and return it to the pan along with its juices.
  2. Toss in the cooked penne and the remaining pesto.
  3. Serve topped with extra Parmesan and cherry tomatoes.

Notes

For extra flavor, consider adding a splash of white wine to the sauce or a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Leftovers store well in an airtight container for up to three days.