Description
A heartwarming dish of creamy pesto sauce with tender chicken and penne pasta, perfect for family gatherings and weeknight dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 oz penne pasta
- 1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 cup fresh basil pesto
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz cremini or button mushrooms, sliced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the pasta according to package instructions until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta water before draining.
- In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add sliced mushrooms and garlic. Cook until the mushrooms are soft—about 5 minutes.
- Add the pesto and cream to the mushrooms, stirring well. Gradually add reserved pasta water to reach desired sauce consistency.
- Return the chicken to the skillet and add the drained penne. Stir until well coated. Fold in Parmesan cheese.
- Garnish with fresh basil and more Parmesan before serving. Enjoy!
Notes
Feel free to substitute chicken with shrimp or a plant-based protein for a vegetarian option. Add more veggies like spinach or bell peppers as desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 450
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 500mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 12g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 20g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Creamy Pesto, Chicken Penne, Pasta Recipes, Italian Cuisine, Family Dinner