Description
A quick and flavorful Chicken Pesto Pasta recipe featuring tender chicken pieces cooked with Italian seasoning, combined with al dente penne pasta and a creamy sauce made from heavy cream, parmesan cheese, sun dried tomatoes, and vibrant basil pesto. Ready in just 20 minutes, this dish makes for a perfect weeknight dinner with a harmonious blend of savory, creamy, and aromatic flavors.
Ingredients
Chicken
- 1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Kosher salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Pasta
- 8 ounces penne pasta, preferably with ridges
Sauce
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup parmesan cheese, plus more for serving if desired
- 1/4 cup sun dried tomatoes, drained if packed in oil
- 1/2 cup basil pesto, homemade or quality store-bought, plus more if desired
- 1/2 to 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Garnish
- Handful of torn basil leaves
Instructions
- Season the chicken: In a bowl, place the cut chicken breasts and season well with Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and black pepper. Toss thoroughly to ensure all pieces are evenly coated.
- Cook the pasta: Bring a medium pot of water to a rolling boil and salt it generously with about 1 tablespoon of salt. Add the penne pasta and cook according to package instructions for about 8 to 9 minutes until al dente.
- Cook the chicken: While pasta cooks, heat olive oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the seasoned chicken pieces, cooking and tossing occasionally until they are golden brown on the outside and fully cooked through, approximately 7 to 8 minutes.
- Drain the pasta: Once the pasta is al dente, reserve about 1 cup of the pasta cooking water and then drain the pasta thoroughly.
- Combine ingredients: Reduce the heat to low and add the cooked pasta to the skillet with the chicken. Stir in the heavy cream, parmesan cheese, and sun dried tomatoes until everything is well combined. If the mixture appears too dry, gradually add the reserved pasta water a few tablespoons at a time to achieve a glossy, creamy sauce coating the pasta.
- Add the pesto and finish: Remove the skillet from the heat. Stir in the basil pesto gently to combine. Finish by sprinkling red pepper flakes, additional grated parmesan cheese, and torn basil leaves on top before serving.
Notes
- For a spicier kick, increase the amount of red pepper flakes to taste.
- If using sun dried tomatoes packed in oil, make sure to drain them well to avoid excess oil in the sauce.
- Feel free to substitute penne pasta with other similar types like rigatoni or fusilli for texture variation.
- Using a quality basil pesto, whether homemade or store-bought, will greatly enhance the flavor of the dish.
- Reserve pasta water carefully; it helps in adjusting the sauce consistency without diluting flavor.
