Description
A comforting and delicious creamy pasta dish featuring tender chicken, vibrant basil pesto, and a rich, cheesy sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
- 10.5 ounces penne or rigatoni pasta
- 2 medium boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced (about 10.5 ounces total)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup basil pesto (store-bought or homemade)
- 3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 3.5 ounces baby spinach (optional)
- 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
- Cook the pasta in a boiling pot of salted water for 2 minutes less than the package instructions.
- Heat the olive oil in a skillet, season the diced chicken with salt and pepper, and sauté for about 5-6 minutes until cooked through.
- In the same skillet, melt the unsalted butter and sauté the minced garlic for about 30 seconds.
- Pour in the heavy cream and whole milk, simmering for 2-3 minutes until it thickens.
- Stir in the basil pesto and grated Parmesan cheese until smooth.
- Mix the cooked chicken and pasta into the sauce, adding spinach if desired.
- Transfer to a lightly greased 9×13-inch baking dish and spread it out evenly.
- Top with shredded mozzarella and remaining grated Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes until the top is golden brown and bubbly.
- Let it rest for about 5 minutes before serving.
Notes
Serve with a side salad and garlic bread for a complete meal. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: creamy pasta, chicken pasta, pesto, weeknight dinner, comfort food