Description
Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta combines tender, pan-seared chicken breasts with a luxurious homemade pesto cream sauce, tossed with perfectly cooked fettuccine. This rich and flavorful dish is elevated by Parmesan cheese and fresh basil, offering a delightful fusion of Italian-inspired flavors perfect for a comforting yet elegant meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Chicken
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt to taste
- Black pepper to taste
Pasta
- 8 ounces fettuccine pasta
Sauce
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup pesto sauce
- 1 tablespoon butter
Garnish
- Fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Boil the pasta: Heat a large pot of salted water over high heat until boiling. Add the fettuccine and cook according to package directions, typically 8 to 10 minutes, until al dente.
- Heat the skillet and season chicken: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Season both sides of chicken breasts with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper.
- Cook the chicken: Place the seasoned chicken in the hot skillet and cook for 6-7 minutes per side, until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 165°F (75°C). Remove the chicken and set aside to rest.
- Make the sauce: In the same skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Pour in heavy cream and simmer gently.
- Add cheese and pesto: Stir in grated Parmesan and pesto sauce, mixing well until smooth and cheese melts. Let simmer for 2-3 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Slice the chicken: While sauce simmers, slice the rested chicken breasts into thin strips.
- Drain pasta: Drain cooked pasta, reserving a small cup of pasta water.
- Combine pasta and sauce: Add pasta to skillet with creamy pesto sauce and toss well to coat. Add reserved pasta water as needed to adjust sauce consistency.
- Add chicken and season: Top pasta with sliced chicken and gently toss to combine. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.
- Serve: Plate the creamy chicken pesto pasta and garnish with fresh basil leaves for a fragrant finish.
Notes
- Reserve some pasta water to thin the sauce if it becomes too thick.
- Resting the chicken before slicing helps keep it juicy.
- You can substitute fettuccine with any other pasta shape like penne or linguine.
- Use freshly grated Parmesan cheese for best flavor and smooth sauce.
- Adjust pesto quantity depending on how strong you prefer the basil flavor.
