Description

This Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta is a delightful and comforting dish combining tender chicken breasts with al dente pasta, fresh baby spinach, and a luscious creamy pesto sauce enriched with sun-dried tomatoes. It’s an easy-to-make meal perfect for weeknight dinners, balancing rich flavors and fresh ingredients for a satisfying experience.

Ingredients

Scale

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

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

Cook the pasta: Boil salted water in a large pot and cook the pasta until al dente according to package instructions. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta cooking water, then drain the pasta and set aside.
Prepare the chicken: Season the sliced chicken breasts with garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 4-5 minutes per side depending on thickness. Remove the chicken, let it rest for a few minutes, then slice it thinly.
Make the roux base: In the same skillet with the remaining fats, sprinkle the flour and cook for about one minute while stirring constantly to remove the raw flour taste.
Build the sauce: Gradually add the chicken broth while whisking to prevent lumps. Stir in the heavy cream, pesto, lemon juice, and sun-dried tomatoes. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the sauce thickens slightly, about 3-5 minutes.
Add spinach: Stir in the fresh baby spinach and cook just until wilted, about 1-2 minutes. This enhances the freshness and adds a nutritional boost.
Toss pasta in sauce: Add the drained pasta to the skillet and toss to coat evenly. If the sauce is too thick, incorporate the reserved pasta water a little at a time until desired sauce consistency is reached.
Serve: Top the creamy pesto pasta with the sliced chicken breasts and sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan cheese, if desired. Serve immediately while warm.

Notes

Reserve pasta water to adjust sauce consistency as needed.
Chicken breasts can be substituted with chicken thighs for a juicier option.
Use sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil for richer flavor.
Parmesan cheese is optional but adds a nice salty touch.
Leftover pasta can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Main Course
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Italian

Keywords: creamy chicken pesto pasta, chicken pasta recipe, easy pasta dinner, pesto pasta with chicken, creamy pasta sauce