Creamy One-Pot Chicken Pesto Pasta Ready in 30 Minutes
You can make this creamy chicken pesto pasta quickly for a satisfying weeknight dinner. This one-pot method keeps cleanup simple while delivering rich, comforting flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 20 min
- Total Time: 30 min
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Dinner
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian-American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 pound pasta (penne or rotini work well)
- 4 cups chicken broth
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/2 cup prepared basil pesto
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus more for serving
Instructions
- Season the chicken pieces with salt and pepper.
- Heat the olive oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until browned and cooked through, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove the chicken from the pot and set it aside.
- Add the dry pasta and chicken broth to the same pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for about 10 to 12 minutes, or until the pasta is nearly tender, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking.
- Stir in the heavy cream, basil pesto, and sun-dried tomatoes. Cook for 2 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
- Return the cooked chicken to the pot. Stir in the Parmesan cheese until the sauce is creamy.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Let it stand for 2 minutes before serving.
- Serve immediately with extra Parmesan cheese on top.
Notes
- For a brighter flavor, substitute cherry tomatoes for sun-dried tomatoes.
- You can use store-bought or homemade pesto for this recipe.
- If the sauce seems too thick, add a splash of reserved pasta water or extra broth until you reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 750
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 850
- Fat: 40
- Saturated Fat: 18
- Unsaturated Fat: 22
- Trans Fat: 1
- Carbohydrates: 55
- Fiber: 3
- Protein: 45
- Cholesterol: 130