One of my favorite things about dinnertime is how it brings everyone together, no matter how hectic the day has been. Some of my most treasured family memories have been made around the dinner table, laughing over stories while sharing a good meal.
This Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta was born on one of those nights when I needed something fast but also wanted something that felt special. I remember the first time I made it, I had a jar of fresh basil pesto in the fridge, a pack of chicken breasts, and some penne pasta in the pantry. Within 30 minutes, I had a creamy, cheesy pasta dish on the table-and let me tell you, my family devoured it.
It gave me the same kind of warm, cozy satisfaction that I get from recipes like my
(a weeknight lifesaver!) or my Easy Loaded Mashed Potato Casserole, which my boys always ask for seconds of.
Why You'll Love This Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
This pasta is:
- Quick & easy: Ready in just 30 minutes.
- Rich & creamy: Thanks to Parmesan, mozzarella, and cream cheese.
- Family-friendly: Kids love the cheesy sauce, adults love the pesto kick.
It's the same combination of cozy and flavorful that makes my Chicken Fajita Casserole such a regular in our house. And the best part? You can get creative with it, adding your own twist to suit your family's taste.
Ingredients You'll Need for Chicken Pesto Pasta Recipe
2 ½ cups Penne Pasta (half of a 1-pound box) 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
2 Garlic cloves (minced)
¼ cup White Wine
1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into bite-sized chunks) Salt and Pepper to taste
2 tablespoons Butter
3 tablespoons Flour
1 cup Chicken Broth
1 cup Half & Half
½ cup grated Parmesan
½ cup shredded Mozzarella
2 oz Cream Cheese
½ cup fresh basil Pesto, or more to taste
Fresh Basil for garnish, if desired
👉 Pro Tip: Just like in my Strawberry Chicken Salad with Strawberry Balsamic Dressing, fresh basil makes all the difference. If you can, garnish with fresh leaves for an extra burst of flavor.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Cook Pasta: Boil penne for about 12 minutes until al dente; drain and set aside.
2. Cook Chicken: In a skillet with olive oil, sauté garlic, Italian seasoning, and chicken; season, cook through, then set aside.
3. Make Roux: Melt butter in the same skillet, whisk in flour, cook 1 minute, then add white wine and simmer 2 minutes.
4. Build Sauce: Whisk in chicken broth and half & half; simmer 5 minutes until thickened.
5. Finish & Serve: Stir in pesto, cream cheese, Parmesan, and mozzarella. Add pasta and chicken, toss, then garnish with basil and black pepper.
Serving Ideas
- Pair with garlic bread and a crisp side salad.
- Add roasted veggies like broccoli or cherry tomatoes for extra color and nutrition.
- For date night at home, serve this pasta with a glass of white wine and finish with my Pear Tart with Cranberries and Thyme Custard for dessert.
My Tips for the BEST Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
- Creamier sauce? Add an extra spoonful of cream cheese.
- Thicker sauce? A bit more Parmesan does the trick.
- Meal-prep friendly: Add a splash of milk when reheating leftovers to keep it silky.
I love that this reheats beautifully-just like my No Bake Key Lime Pie, it's a dish you can prep ahead to make dinnertime smoother.
More Recipes to Try from Hip Mama's Place
If you're making this Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta, you'll probably enjoy these too:
- The Best Meatloaf Recipe with BBQ Glaze - classic comfort food done right.
- Pumpkin Soup with Roasted Pumpkin - perfect for fall pasta nights.
- Easy Beer Cheese Dip - a cheesy starter that pairs perfectly with Italian-inspired meals.
- S'mores Cookie Bars - an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert.
- Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting - when you want something indulgent and sweet.
Final Thoughts
Recipes like this Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta are the ones that stay in rotation-not just because they're easy and delicious, but because they're the meals that make memories. I've served this dish on busy weeknights, cozy Friday dinners, and even when friends drop by unexpectedly. Every single time, it's a hit because of its creamy texture, the perfect balance of flavors, and the comforting feeling it brings.
So the next time your family is gathered around the table, let this pasta be the star. It's warm, comforting, and full of flavor-everything a great family meal should be. I can't wait for you to try it and create your own cherished memories.
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Creamy Chicken Pesto Pasta
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
Description
Make this creamy chicken pesto pasta in just 30 minutes! Juicy chicken, penne pasta, and a rich basil pesto cream sauce come together for an easy dinner everyone will love.
Ingredients
2 ½ cups Penne Pasta (half of a 1-pound box) 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
2 Garlic cloves (minced)
¼ cup White Wine
1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
1 lb boneless skinless chicken breast (cut into bite-sized chunks) Salt and Pepper to taste
2 tablespoons Butter
3 tablespoons Flour
1 cup Chicken Broth
1 cup Half & Half
½ cup grated Parmesan
½ cup shredded Mozzarella
2 oz Cream Cheese
½ cup fresh basil Pesto, or more to taste
Fresh Basil for garnish, if desired
Instructions
- Boil Pasta approx. 12 minutes, to preferred texture. Option: add some salt and oil to the water first water. Drain and set aside when done.
- Add Olive Oil to a large skillet over medium heat. Add Garlic, Italian Seasoning and Chicken Breast chunks. Add Salt and Pepper to season, and cook, stirring chicken a few times to brown on all sides. Put Chicken on a plate, and drain the liquid from the skillet.
- Return skillet to the stove over medium heat, and melt the Butter. Whisk in the Flour, and cook about 1 minutes, keeping it from clumping. Add White Wine and whisk in, and cook for 2 minutes.
- Whisk in Chicken Broth and Half & Half, and bring to a controlled boil. Simmer for about 5 minutes, until the sauce has reduced and thickened.
-
Remove from heat and stir in pesto and Cream Cheese, Parmesan, and Mozzarella cheeses. Add the pasta and chicken, and stir together. Garnish with fresh chopped basil and fresh cracked black pepper to taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Dishes
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
This looks like the kind of weeknight dinner that actually feels like a treat. I love that you used half and half instead of heavy cream—it keeps things creamy but a bit lighter. And the sun-dried tomatoes? Such a good flavour boost. I can see this being a staple in my rotation, especially when I need something comforting but not complicated. Thanks for sharing this!
Loved the creamy sauce for this pasta, this dish was a winner for sure.
I can't wait to try this. It's the best of every flavor I love. I think this is a winner.
This is so good! I love that intense pesto flavor and all that cheese in the sauce. YUMMO!
WOW, this creamy chicken pesto pasta looks delicious, and I have yet to create this dish. I'm pinning this recipe so i can try it over the weekend. I would definitely add some broccoli.