Creamy Pesto Chicken Penne (One Pot)
This Creamy Pesto Chicken Penne is SO EASY! Tender chicken and penne swim in a luscious, creamy pesto sauce all made in one pot for fuss-free comfort.
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 8 ounces penne pasta
- 1 pound chicken breast diced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 0.5 cup pesto sauce
- 0.5 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- salt and pepper to taste
- fresh basil leaves for garnish
Instructions
- Heat the olive oil in your large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the diced chicken breast, season lightly with salt and pepper, and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 5-7 minutes. Remove the chicken and set aside.
- In the same pan, reduce heat to medium. Add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds to 1 minute until fragrant, careful not to burn.
- Pour in the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir gently to combine and bring to a simmer. Add the penne pasta, submerging it as much as possible in the liquid.
- Cover the skillet and cook the pasta for 10-12 minutes, stirring every few minutes to prevent sticking, until pasta is tender and has absorbed the liquid.
- Stir in the pesto sauce and grated Parmesan cheese. Return the cooked chicken to the pan and stir until well combined and heated through.
- Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Garnish with fresh basil leaves and serve immediately.
Equipment
- Large deep skillet or sauté pan with lid
- Wooden spoon or heatproof spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Sharp knife and cutting board
- Grater
Notes
- Leftovers keep well refrigerated up to 3 days; reheat gently with a splash of broth or cream to loosen the sauce.
- Swap penne for other pasta shapes like rigatoni, fusilli, or farfalle to change texture.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute heavy cream with coconut or cashew cream and Parmesan with nutritional yeast.
- Use chicken thighs for juicier meat or plant-based chicken alternatives for a vegetarian option.
- Try different pesto varieties like sun-dried tomato or kale pesto to vary flavors.