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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe

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4.5 from 53 reviews

This Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is a delightful combination of tender chicken slices, fresh spinach, and sun-dried tomatoes tossed in a luscious pesto cream sauce. Perfectly cooked pasta is enveloped in a rich and flavorful sauce made with chicken broth, heavy cream, and fragrant pesto, garnished with freshly grated Parmesan cheese for an indulgent yet easy-to-make meal.

Ingredients

For the Pasta and Chicken

  • 8 oz pasta
  • 2 chicken breasts, sliced lengthwise
  • 1/2 tsp garlic powder
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp butter

For the Sauce

  • 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup chicken broth
  • 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1/4 cup pesto
  • 1/2 tsp lemon juice
  • 1/4 cup sun-dried tomatoes

Vegetables and Garnish

  • 2 cups fresh baby spinach
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese (optional)

Instructions

  1. Cook the Pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot. Add the pasta and cook until al dente, according to package instructions. Reserve a cup of pasta water and then drain the pasta.
  2. Prepare the Chicken: Season the sliced chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. In a large skillet, heat olive oil and butter over medium heat. Add the chicken slices and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and let it rest before slicing thinly.
  3. Make the Sauce Base: In the same skillet, sprinkle all-purpose flour over the remaining fat and cook for about 1 minute, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
  4. Add Liquids and Flavorings: Slowly whisk in chicken broth followed by heavy cream, pesto, and lemon juice. Stir to combine, then add sun-dried tomatoes. Allow the sauce to simmer gently for 3-4 minutes until slightly thickened.
  5. Incorporate Spinach: Stir in fresh baby spinach and cook until the leaves wilt and soften, about 1-2 minutes.
  6. Toss Pasta with Sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss everything together. Use reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time to loosen the sauce if it becomes too thick.
  7. Serve: Plate the creamy pesto pasta and top with sliced chicken and freshly grated Parmesan cheese if desired.

Notes

  • Use gluten-free pasta to make this recipe gluten-free if required.
  • Sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil can add extra flavor and moisture; drain if using dry-packed.
  • Adjust the amount of lemon juice to taste for brightness.
  • To reduce calories, substitute heavy cream with half-and-half or a lighter cream alternative.
  • Reserve pasta water carefully as it helps to adjust sauce consistency and helps the sauce cling to pasta.

Find it online: https://forkvista.com/creamy-chicken-pesto-pasta-recipe/