Description
Indulge in a creamy and flavorful chicken pesto pasta that’s perfect for a cozy dinner at home. This recipe combines tender chicken, al dente penne pasta, and a luscious pesto cream sauce for a satisfying meal.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
Penne Pasta:
- 1/2 pound Penne pasta, about 2 1/2 cups dry (half of a one pound box)
Chicken:
- 1 tablespoon Olive oil
- 2 Garlic cloves, minced
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1 pound Boneless skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks
- Salt and pepper, to taste
Sauce:
- 2 tablespoons Butter
- 3 tablespoons All-purpose flour
- 1 cup Chicken broth
- 1 cup Half and half or all milk/cream
- 1/2 cup Freshly grated Parmesan
- 1 cup Freshly shredded Mozzarella
- 1/2 cup Basil pesto, or more, to taste
Garnish:
- Fresh basil for garnish, if desired
Instructions
- Boil Pasta: Cook pasta to al dente according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- Sauté Chicken: In a skillet, cook garlic, Italian seasoning, and chicken until no longer pink. Transfer chicken out.
- Make Sauce: Melt butter, whisk in flour, then add chicken broth and half & half. Simmer until thickened.
- Combine: Stir in pesto and cheeses. Add pasta and chicken, mix well.
- Garnish and Serve: Top with basil and black pepper. Serve hot.
Notes
- For a lighter version, use low-fat milk and cheese.
- Adjust pesto quantity to suit your taste preferences.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 590
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 780mg
- Fat: 28g
- Saturated Fat: 13g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 39g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 45g
- Cholesterol: 135mg
