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
Scale
2 1/2 cups Penne Pasta (half of a 1-pound box) 1 tablespoon Olive Oil
2 Garlic cloves (minced)
1/4 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
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
1/2 cup shredded Mozzarella
2 oz Cream Cheese
1/2 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