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Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta

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Prep 10 minutes
Cook 20 minutes
This creamy pesto chicken pasta is made with juicy chicken, tender penne, and a rich pesto sauce. Try it with my homemade almond pesto or your favorite jarred pesto.
Servings 4 servings
Course Main Course
Cuisine Italian

Ingredients

  • ½ pound boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper
  • ½ teaspoon paprika
  • ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning
  • Neutral oil for frying
  • 8 ounces pasta
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/3 cup pesto
  • 1 tablespoon red pepper flakes optional
  • Handful of grated parmesan or pecorino
  • ¼ cup pasta water

Instructions

  1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta until al dente. Reserve about 1/2 cup pasta water, then drain.
  2. Pat the chicken thighs dry, then cut into bite-sized pieces. Season with the salt, black pepper, paprika, and Italian seasoning.
    Marinated chicken pieces evenly coated with spices ready for cooking
  3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook the chicken for about 3 minutes per side, or until cooked through and golden. Transfer to a cooling rack. Pour out the oil from the skillet.
    Golden brown chicken pieces searing in a pan with crispy edges
  4. Pour the heavy cream into the skillet and let it warm for about 1 minute. Stir in the pesto until smooth. Add the parmesan or pecorino and red pepper flakes, if using, and mix until creamy.
    Grated parmesan cheese melting into creamy pesto sauce in skillet
  5. Add the cooked pasta and some of the reserved water and toss until coated. Toss in the chicken. Serve with more parmesan or pecorino. Enjoy!
    Fresh parmesan cheese being grated over creamy pesto chicken pasta

Nutrition

Serving1 servingCalories620 kcalCarbohydrates50 gProtein25 gFat35 gSaturated Fat16 gPolyunsaturated Fat4 gMonounsaturated Fat12 gCholesterol120 mgSodium500 mgPotassium350 mgFiber2 gSugar3 gVitamin A900 IUVitamin C2 mgCalcium180 mgIron2 mg

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