Description
A comforting dish featuring creamy pesto, tender chicken, and buoyant penne pasta, perfect for family dinners.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 2 boneless chicken breasts, diced
- 1 cup basil pesto
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 1 cup sliced mushrooms (button or cremini)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cook the penne in a large pot of salted water until al dente; reserve 1 cup of pasta water and drain.
- In a skillet, heat olive oil and 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add diced chicken, season with salt and pepper, and cook until golden, about 5-7 minutes. Remove and set aside.
- In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of butter, then sauté sliced mushrooms until tender. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional minute.
- Lower the heat, pour in the heavy cream, and let it simmer for 2-3 minutes. Add the pesto and stir until the sauce is evenly green.
- Combine the cooked chicken and penne in the skillet, adjust consistency with reserved pasta water as needed.
- Stir in freshly grated Parmesan cheese, garnish with extra Parmesan and cracked pepper, then serve warm.
Notes
Feel free to substitute chicken with chickpeas or sautéed zucchini for a vegetarian option. Use fresh herbs for a burst of flavor.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 470
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 450mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 25g
- Cholesterol: 70mg
Keywords: Creamy, Pesto, Chicken, Pasta, Comfort Food, Family Dinner