Description
This easy Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta combines tender chicken with penne pasta and a rich pesto cream sauce made with homemade walnut pesto.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- 12 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb. organic chicken breasts
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tsp paprika
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt, divided
- 1 1/2 tsp black pepper, divided
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 cup chicken broth
- 1 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 3 tsp minced garlic
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- spinach, optional
- shaved parmesan cheese, optional topping
Walnut Pesto:
- 2 cups fresh basil leaves
- 1/3 cup shelled walnuts
- 1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tbsp minced garlic
- 1/3 cup olive oil
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp dried thyme
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- For the walnut pesto: Blend the basil leaves, shelled walnuts, grated parmesan cheese, and minced garlic in a food processor (paid link) or blender (paid link). Slowly add the olive oil and pulse to blend. Scrape down the sides of the food processor (paid link) or blender (paid link) and add the garlic powder, dried thyme, black pepper, and sea salt. Pulse all ingredients until combined.
- Boil the penne pasta per the instructions. Strain and set to the side.
- Cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized pieces and season with paprika, 1 tsp salt, and 1 tsp pepper.
- Heat a large skillet to medium heat and add olive oil. Add the chicken pieces to the skillet and cook for 5 to 6 minutes. Once cooked, remove the chicken from the skillet and set it to the side.
- Add the minced garlic in the same skillet at medium heat and stir. Add the chicken broth and cook for a few minutes. Add the heavy cream, grated parmesan cheese, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp black pepper, and 1/2 tsp sea salt. Lower the heat to medium-low and stir until combined. Remove the skillet from the heat.
- Add the cooked pasta, homemade pesto, halved tomatoes, and spinach (optional) into the skillet. Fold everything together.
- Serve pasta dish in a bowl and top off with shaved parmesan cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 1028
- Sugar: 3.5g
- Sodium: 5473mg
- Fat: 52g
- Carbohydrates: 83.8g
- Fiber: 16.4g
- Protein: 31.6g
- Cholesterol: 151mg