Description
A quick and creamy pesto chicken pasta dish made in one pot for easy cleanup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb. (450g) boneless, skinless chicken breast, fresh
- 2 Tbsp (30g) butter, unsalted
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 lb. (225g) penne pasta
- 1.5 cups (360ml) chicken broth
- 1 cup (240ml) milk, whole recommended
- 3 oz. (85g) cream cheese
- 1/3 cup (80g) basil pesto
- 1/4 cup (25g) grated Parmesan
- freshly cracked pepper, to taste
- pinch crushed red pepper, to taste
- 3 cups (90g) fresh spinach (optional)
- 1/4 cup (40g) sliced sun dried tomatoes (optional)
Instructions
- Brown Chicken Pieces: Start by browning the chicken in your pot until it is golden and delicious. You will know it is ready when you can smell that savory aroma filling your kitchen. This step adds depth to the overall flavor, so do not skip it. Just watch that it does not burn!
- Stir in Pesto: Once your chicken is browned, mix in the pesto until everything is coated. You will notice the vibrant green color dancing with the chicken; it is such a pretty sight! The pesto’s aroma will start to blossom, which is what you want. Be careful not to add too much at once, or it can become overwhelming.
- Add Pasta and Liquid: Toss in your pasta and pour in enough liquid to cover it. As you do this, listen for the satisfying splash and watch as it all bubbles up. This helps the pasta absorb all those tasty flavors. Just make sure you have enough liquid; dry pasta can stick together if it is not covered.
- Simmer Gently: Let everything simmer away until the pasta is tender and the sauce thickens nicely. You will see bubbles rise slowly, and you might catch a whiff of the fragrant mix. This is where the magic happens. If you crank the heat too high, you will end up with pasta that is unevenly cooked.
- Stir in Cream: Once the pasta is cooked, stir in the cream for a rich texture. It will coat everything beautifully, turning a simple meal into something special. The sauce should look glossy, and it should smell heavenly! Make sure you mix it thoroughly or you will have some bites with too much sauce and others that are dry.
- Let Rest Before Serving: Allow your dish to rest for a few minutes before you serve it up. This lets all those flavors marry together, making every bite tasty. You might want to just make sure it does not cool down too much, or it may thicken up more than you’d like!
Notes
- Storage Tips: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat with extra broth to loosen the sauce.
- Expert Tips: If the pasta seems sticky, remember to stir it every few minutes and maintain a gentle simmer throughout cooking to keep it loose.
- When reheating leftover sauce, adding a splash of chicken broth or milk works wonders to restore its consistency.
- If your chicken is not cooking evenly, try cutting it into small, uniform pieces to ensure it cooks through at the same rate.
- For a creamier sauce, incorporating extra cream cheese or a dollop of Greek yogurt adds a nice richness without the overload.
- If the flavors seem muted, a pinch of salt or a sprinkle of freshly cracked pepper can really brighten up the dish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 748.68
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 1099.28mg
- Fat: 41.53g
- Saturated Fat: N/A
- Unsaturated Fat: N/A
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 52.55g
- Fiber: 4.1g
- Protein: 41.75g
- Cholesterol: N/A