Description
This One Pot Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta is a quick and delicious meal combining tender chicken, penne pasta, and a creamy pesto sauce all cooked together in a single skillet. Enhanced with cream cheese and Parmesan, and brightened with fresh spinach and sun-dried tomatoes, this recipe offers a creamy, flavorful, and comforting dish that comes together in just 25 minutes.
Ingredients
Protein and Dairy
- 1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 2 Tbsp butter
- 1 cup milk
- 3 oz. cream cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Pasta and Broth
- 1/2 lb. penne pasta
- 1.5 cups chicken broth
Vegetables and Flavorings
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/3 cup basil pesto
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 1/4 cup sliced sun dried tomatoes
- freshly cracked pepper
- 1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the chicken: Cut the chicken breast into 1-inch pieces. Melt the butter in a deep skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken pieces and cook until they are slightly browned on the outside.
- Add garlic: Mince the garlic cloves while the chicken cooks. Add the minced garlic to the skillet and sauté with the chicken for an additional minute to release its aroma.
- Cook pasta in broth: Add the uncooked penne pasta and chicken broth to the skillet. Stir well to dissolve any browned bits on the skillet bottom. Cover with a lid, increase heat to medium-high, and bring the broth to a boil.
- Simmer pasta: Once boiling, stir the pasta quickly, replace the lid, and reduce heat to medium-low. Let the pasta simmer for about 8 minutes, stirring briefly every two minutes, until tender and most broth is absorbed.
- Make creamy pesto sauce: Add milk, cut cream cheese chunks, and basil pesto to the skillet. Stir continuously over medium heat until the cream cheese completely melts and forms a creamy sauce. Stir in grated Parmesan until fully incorporated.
- Add greens and tomatoes: Add fresh spinach and sliced sun dried tomatoes to the skillet. Stir until the spinach is wilted and everything is evenly combined.
- Season and serve: Remove the skillet from heat. Top with freshly cracked black pepper and a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes for a bit of heat. Serve immediately.
Notes
- This dish can be made with other types of pasta such as penne or rigatoni if preferred.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for a richer sauce but low-fat versions can be substituted to reduce calories.
- Fresh basil pesto can be replaced with store-bought or homemade varieties based on preference.
- For a vegetarian version, omit the chicken and use vegetable broth instead.
- Stir frequently during simmering to prevent pasta from sticking to the skillet.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
