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Chicken and Pasta in Pesto Cream Sauce

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A creamy and flavorful dish combining tender chicken and pasta enveloped in a rich pesto cream sauce, perfect for quick weeknight dinners or impressive meals.

Ingredients

  • 8 oz pasta of choice (such as penne, fusilli, or spaghetti)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 cup pesto sauce (store-bought or homemade)
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 chicken breasts, diced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Fresh basil for garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Boil water in a large pot and cook the pasta according to package instructions. Drain and set aside, reserving a little pasta water for later use if needed.
  2. Heat the olive oil over medium heat in a large skillet. Add the diced chicken, seasoning with salt and pepper. Cook until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes.
  3. Reduce the heat to low and pour in the heavy cream. Stir in the pesto sauce and Parmesan cheese, mixing well until the cheese is melted and the sauce is creamy.
  4. Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to combine with the sauce. If the sauce is too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water to reach your desired consistency.
  5. Allow it to heat together for an additional 2-3 minutes, ensuring everything is well combined.
  6. Serve hot, garnished with fresh basil if desired.

Notes

Use your favorite kind of pasta; larger shapes hold the sauce well. Homemade pesto can elevate this dish, but store-bought works perfectly for convenience. Freshly grated Parmesan will melt better, giving you a creamier sauce.

Find it online: https://thisrecipe.site/creamy-pesto-chicken-with-pasta/