Pin A comforting Italian-inspired pasta dish featuring tender chicken, al dente penne, and a luscious creamy pesto sauce. Perfect for weeknight dinners or casual gatherings.
I first cooked this for my family on a rainy weeknight, and it quickly became a favorite because everyone loved the savory chicken paired with bright pesto and parmesan.
Ingredients
- Poultry: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 400 g), cut into bite-sized pieces
- Pasta: 350 g penne pasta
- Dairy: 200 ml heavy cream
- Dairy: 40 g grated Parmesan cheese
- Pesto: 80 g basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- Vegetables: 1 small onion, finely chopped
- Vegetables: 2 cloves garlic, minced
- Pantry: 2 tbsp olive oil
- Pantry: Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- Garnish (optional): Fresh basil leaves
- Garnish (optional): Extra grated Parmesan
Instructions
- Cook Pasta:
- Cook penne pasta in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente, according to package instructions. Drain, reserving 100 ml of pasta water.
- Cook Chicken:
- While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken pieces, season with salt and pepper, and sauté for 5–6 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and set aside.
- Cook Vegetables:
- In same skillet, add chopped onion and cook for 2–3 minutes until softened. Add minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.
- Prepare Sauce:
- Reduce heat to medium. Pour in heavy cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Stir in pesto and Parmesan cheese, mixing until smooth.
- Combine Chicken and Sauce:
- Return cooked chicken to skillet and toss to coat in sauce.
- Add Pasta:
- Add drained penne to skillet, tossing to combine. Add reserved pasta water as needed for sauce consistency.
- Season and Serve:
- Season with additional salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, garnished with fresh basil and extra Parmesan if desired.
Pin My kids always request extra Parmesan, and we love gathering around the table to enjoy it with garlic bread and sparkling water.
Required Tools
Large pot, large skillet, chefs knife, cutting board, wooden spoon or spatula, colander
Nutritional Information
Each serving has approximately 620 calories, 27 g fat, 58 g carbohydrates, and 36 g protein.
Recipe Variations
Substitute sun-dried tomato pesto or add roasted cherry tomatoes for extra flavor.
Pin Serve hot and enjoy this comforting creamy pesto penne with chicken for an easy Italian-inspired dinner everyone will love.
Recipe Q&A
- → How do I cook the chicken for tenderness?
Sauté bite-sized chicken pieces over medium-high heat until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes, to keep them juicy and tender.
- → What is the best way to achieve a creamy pesto sauce?
Combine heavy cream with basil pesto and grated Parmesan over medium heat, stirring gently to create a smooth and luscious sauce.
- → Can I adjust the sauce thickness?
Use reserved pasta water to thin the sauce gradually until you reach the desired consistency without diluting the flavor.
- → What pasta is recommended for this dish?
Penne pasta works best for holding the creamy pesto sauce, allowing each piece to be coated evenly.
- → How can I add more freshness to the dish?
Garnish with fresh basil leaves and extra grated Parmesan right before serving to enhance aroma and taste.