Creamy Pesto Pasta with Chicken
Indulge in the flavors of Italy with this quick and easy creamy pesto pasta recipe. Inspired by my visit to Cinque Terre, this recipe combines tender chicken and a rich and flavorful pesto sauce. It's sure to become a family favorite that you'll make again and again.
Equipment
- large pot
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 pound chicken breasts diced
- ½ teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon cracked black peper
- 4 cloves garlic minced
- ½ pound penne pasta
- 3 cups chicken broth or 3 cups water + 1 tablespoon salt
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 ounces cream cheese
- ⅓ cup jarred pesto
- 4 cups baby spinach fresh or frozen
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Season the chicken with salt and pepper and add it to the pan. Cook for 4-5 minutes, or until deeply browned and cooked through. Transfer the chicken to a plate.
- Add garlic to the pot and cook for 1-2 minutes, until softened and fragrant.
- Stir in the pasta, broth, and heavy cream. Cook for 10-12 minutes, or until the pasta is al dente. Remove form heat.
- Add the cream cheese and pesto stirring constantly until the sauce is smooth and creamy. Stir in the cooked chicken.
- Stir in the cooked chicken and spinach. Cover and let sit for 1-2 minutes, until the spinach is wilted.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 623kcalCarbohydrates: 48gProtein: 36gFat: 31gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 126mgSodium: 1350mgPotassium: 804mgFiber: 3gSugar: 4gVitamin A: 3895IUVitamin C: 11mgCalcium: 127mgIron: 2mg
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