Creamy Pesto Chicken Pasta Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 pound Chicken Breast (boneless, skinless; butterflied and cubed)
• 2 tablespoons Olive Oil (extra‑virgin preferred)
• 1 teaspoon Cajun Seasoning (store‑bought or homemade blend)
• 1 teaspoon Italian Seasoning
• 1 tablespoon Garlic (minced)
• 1 cup Heavy Cream (full‑fat for richness)
• 1/3 cup Basil Pesto (store‑bought or homemade)
• 2 cups Pasta (cooked al dente; any short pasta such as penne or fusilli)
• 1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese (freshly grated)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Chicken

   Place the chicken breasts on a cutting board, butterfly each breast by slicing horizontally, then cut into bite‑size cubes.

   Time: PT5M

2. Season the Chicken

   Drizzle the cubed chicken with olive oil, then toss with Cajun seasoning and Italian seasoning until evenly coated.

   Time: PT2M

3. Sear the Chicken

   Heat the large skillet over medium‑high heat, add a splash of olive oil, and add the seasoned chicken. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the pieces are golden brown on all sides, about 5‑6 minutes.

   Time: PT6M

   Temperature: Medium‑high

4. Remove Chicken and Sauté Garlic

   Transfer the cooked chicken to a plate. In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and sauté for 30 seconds until fragrant.

   Time: PT1M

   Temperature: Medium

5. Create the Creamy Base

   Pour the heavy cream into the skillet, stirring to deglaze the browned bits. Bring to a gentle simmer for 2 minutes.

   Time: PT2M

   Temperature: Medium

6. Add Pesto

   Stir in the basil pesto until fully incorporated, creating a uniform green‑gold sauce.

   Time: PT1M

7. Cook Pasta

   While the sauce is simmering, cook the pasta in a pot of salted boiling water until al dente, about 9‑10 minutes. Drain, reserving ¼ cup of pasta water.

   Time: PT10M

   Temperature: Boiling

8. Combine Pasta and Sauce

   Add the cooked pasta to the skillet, tossing to coat. If the sauce is too thick, add reserved pasta water a tablespoon at a time.

   Time: PT2M

9. Re‑introduce Chicken

   Return the seared chicken to the skillet, mixing gently until everything is evenly combined and the chicken is heated through.

   Time: PT2M

10. Finish with Parmesan

    Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the pasta, stirring until melted and the sauce becomes glossy.

    Time: PT1M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

560

Protein

32g

Carbohydrates

48g

Fat

22g

Fiber

3g